Christina Ricci joins Smurfs sequel

Los Angeles - Christina Ricci has joined The Smurfs sequel.

The Addams Family actress will portray animated star Vexi - an evil version of Katy Perry's alter-ego Smurfette - in the follow up to the 2011 movie based on the Belgian comic characters.

Much of the cast from the original film - which starred Hank Azaria (Gargamel), Neil Patrick Harris (Patrick Winslow), Jayma Mays (Grace Winslow) and Sofia Vergara as Odile - are expected to reprise their roles for the sequel, which will see Raja Gosnell return in the director's seat.

Good kisser

Christina recently starred opposite Robert Pattinson, Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas in drama movie Bel Ami and she is currently portraying flight crew treasurer Maggie Ryan on ABC TV show Pan Am.

The 32-year-old beauty had to lock lips with the Twilight hunk on the set of Bel Ami, and she admitted he is a "good kisser" and nice to work alongside.

She said: "Everyone keeps asking me how it is to kiss Robert. He's a good kisser. And I'm not being nice. It's just like that.

"He's always the kind of guy that you can look at and go, 'Oh God, this is uncomfortable'. And he's really lovely to work with, especially in those kinds of scenes because he's so quick to laugh at himself - and me. He's very self-deprecating, as am I."

The Smurfs sequel is expected to be released on 31 July 2013.