Nick Offerman finds meaning in the “Smurfs'” village: “We need diversity to make a strong community.”

Actor Nick Offerman brings his signature Deadpan delivery to the animation world as Ken, Papa Smurfs brother, in the upcoming “Smurfs” film, which will be released on Friday.

The star “Parks and Recreation” said that he had developed his distinctive comedic timing at a young age.

“When I was a child in the Catholic Church, we made the readings of the gospel,” said Offerman. “I then learned that the community would be moved if I gave him a few gravitas. But if I just turned it up a bit, my cousins would laugh … I discovered there Deadpan.”

Offersman recorded his language work separately by co-star John Goodman, who more often shaped Papa Smurf due to modern animation practices, which became more frequent after Covid-19.

“I shot a show in Budapest last year and recorded a few of my sessions from a studio in Budapest,” he said. “John took up his from London and New Orleans. After all, when they start, they hear all the recordings together.”

The actor found a deeper meaning in the central message of the film about community and belonging.

“What I love most about it is no-name Smurf in this search to find out what his place is and tries to find himself,” said Offersman. “The message is that, as you know, everyone needs diversity to make a strong community or a family or village of Schlumpf.”

He said that self -discovery comes more through connection with others than by isolation.

“You don't learn what your special talent is looking at your phone or in the mirror,” said Offerman. “You learn from your community. You will tell you what you need from you, and so you discover what your strength is.”

“Smurfs” is distributed by Paramount Pictures, the part of the parent company of CBS, Paramount Global. “Smurfs” will meet cinemas on July 18.