Sonic the hedgehog film amelioration: Sonic the Hedgehog Was Redesigned for the Upcoming Paramount Movie

Sonic the Hedgehog Was Redesigned for the Upcoming Paramount Movie

• In April of this year, Paramount released a trailer for its live-action take on SEGA’s Sonic The Hedgehog franchise. Fans hated it. They attempted to make Sonic more «realistic» but ended up creating something fairly disturbing.
• Due to the backlash, the film’s director, Jeff Fowler, promised fans he would change Sonic’s design to make him more like the iconic character we all know and love.
• The newly released trailer has received a much warmer response. Watch as we break down the differences between Paramount’s first and second version of Sonic the Hedgehog.
• Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

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Following is a transcript of the video.

Narrator: When Paramount announced that they were working on a movie version of Sega’s iconic «Sonic the Hedgehog» franchise, fans were cautiously optimistic.

But after the trailer was released in early 2019…

Sonic: Uhhh…

Narrator: This realistic, hedgehog-like take on Sonic went viral as fans took to social media to roast the design. Here are all the changes they made to the classic character in the new trailer.

The most noticeable difference between their first and second take is Sonic’s eyes. Much like Sega’s design, Sonic’s eyes are much bigger in the new version. In the old one, his eyes were shrunken to make them more anatomically similar to an actual hedgehog.

This is still slightly different from Sega’s version of Sonic, which technically has just one big eyeball with two separate pupils, as you can see here.

Paramount’s new design fades Sonic’s blue fur into his tan mouth for a slightly more realistic depiction.

His eyebrows are also much more defined, allowing him to show a wider range of emotions.

The new version’s facial features are also more similar to Sega’s design with his cartoonish nose, mouth, and teeth.

Paramount’s first take gave Sonic wide nostrils and a nose that blended in with his snout. This new one sticks out, more like Sega’s design.

His disturbing humanlike teeth are now hidden beneath his upper lip. They made his mouth more animated, so it can shift to the side instead of being anchored down to the front.

What really freaked fans out about Paramount’s first take was that they gave him joints and muscles, like knees, elbows, and calves.

The Sonic we know from cartoons and video games doesn’t have a defined bone structure. The new take swaps out Sonic’s muscles and joints for the more cartoon-like spaghetti arms and legs.

His torso is also more defined and separated from his limbs, instead of looking like a child in a Sonic the Hedgehog onesie. There’s more of a triangular shape to the torso, with broad shoulders that narrow towards his waist.

Sonic’s fur is now a more vibrant blue, and his belly went from white to tan to match Sega’s original design.

One thing Paramount didn’t change was the color of Sonic’s arms. In Sega’s design, his arms are the same color as his mouth and belly: tan. Paramount made his arms blue in their first take, and they kept them blue for their second.

In keeping with their desire for a realistic Sonic, their first take had a lot more noticeable fur on him. The new take still has fur, but his body seems smoother to reflect how he looks in Sega’s design. And the spikes on his head and back are much sharper as a result and more closely resemble the Sega version.

Paramount’s new Sonic isn’t just anatomically similar to Sega’s design; it also features Sonic’s white gloves instead of just white fur, much bigger socks, and a much more accurate depiction of his iconic red shoes, all the while still managing to make them look like a modern pair of sneakers.

Overall, Paramount presented us with a design that looks much more like Sega’s cartoony version of Sonic, while still maintaining some of the realistic fur and texture of their first take. And so far, fans seem to be happy with the changes.

Are you happy with the new version of Sonic? Let us know in the comments below.

Read next

Sonic the Hedgehog movie trailer reveals new redesign with Jim Carrey

«Could not be more excited to share our new Sonic with you,» the director wrote.

Nick Romano

By Nick Romano November 12, 2019 at 08:35 AM EST

Remember that time Paramount released a Sonic the Hedgehog movie trailer and fans were in such an uproar over the main character’s CG design that the director postponed said movie so he could go back and redesign Sonic? At the time we couldn’t tell what was more ridiculous, an animated Sonic with seemingly infinite human teeth or the fact that fans pressured a filmmaker into going back to the drawing board. In any case, here we are and we have a new trailer with the new newly redesigned Sonic.

Admittedly, this latest glow-up suits him.

“Today is the DAY!” director Jeff Fowler tweeted on Tuesday morning. “Could not be more excited to share our new Sonic with you. THANK YOU for your patience and support. This wouldn’t have been possible without the fans.”

In Sonic the Hedgehog, the blue speedster journeyed from his world because everyone keeps trying to steal his speed powers. So, he traveled into our world… where people are trying to steal his speed powers. At least he has a heck of a lot of The Flash comic books to read and attractions to see, like the world’s largest rubber band ball.

Ben Schwartz of Parks and Recreation and DuckTales voices Sonic, while Westworld‘s James Marsden voices Tom, Sonic’s new best friend who helps this creature defeat his enemy, Jim Carrey as the evil Dr. Robotnik.

Sonic The Hedgehog

Credit: Paramount Pictures

When questioned about Fowler and Paramount’s decision to redesign the character over fan backlash, Carrey had said, “It’s an interesting thing. You just become their Frankenstein monster at some point, right? But I don’t know. I don’t know quite how I feel about the audience being in on the creation of it while it’s happening. So we’ll have to see what that entails, because sometimes you find that the collective consciousness decides it wants something, and then when it gets it, it goes, ‘Okay. I just wanted it. I didn’t care about it. I just jumped on the bandwagon,’ or whatever. But I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Schwartz wrote on Tuesday as the new trailer dropped, “I continue to be beyond excited and honored to voice this beautiful blue blur! A lot of incredibly talented people who care about this franchise very much have made such a fun movie.”

Sonic the Hedgehog will now open in theaters on Feb. 14, 2020.

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Sonic the Hedgehog (2020 movie)

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description, content, interesting facts and more about the movie

Sonic in the movie Further fan reaction followed the release of the first trailer, with director Jeff Fowler announcing on Twitter on May 2, 2019 that Sonic’s design would be changed. This led to the fact that the planned release of the film from autumn 2019has been moved to February 2020. When a new trailer and poster was released on November 12, 2019 after the character’s redesign, viewers praised the new look.

Tom Holland, Josh Gad, Chris Pratt, Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, Will Forte, Jim Parsons, Charlie Day, Paul Rudd and Adam Devine were candidates for the role of Sonic.

The script has been rewritten several times since the original had no more comedic elements. As a result, the creators of the project decided to focus on the action. nine0004

One of the writers of the project, Van Robichaux, wanted the film to be rated PG-13.

According to screenwriter Van Robichaux, the scene with Eggman and the «Mean Bean Machine» coffee maker was deleted before filming began.

Tim Miller, director of Deadpool (2016), serves as an executive producer along with Neil H Mortiz, producer of the Fast & Furious film series.

The film «The Third Extra» (2012) was one of the sources of inspiration in terms of the appearance of an animated character in a feature film. nine0004

While the film was being worked on by Sony, screenwriters Brad Bird, Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, David Berenbaum, and Phil Johnston submitted their own versions of the script to the studio in an attempt to get the film’s screenwriter position.

From 1969 to 1983, Paramount and Sega were divisions of the same Charlie Bludorn conglomerate, Gulf+Western Industries. Then they split up. And in the end, it all ended with the fact that Paramount bought Sega.

The film was originally supposed to be filmed in Atlanta, but was eventually moved to Vancouver. nine0004

As announced on October 2, 2017, Sony has waived its rights to the film and Paramount Pictures has taken over.

Marza Animation Planet, Sega’s own animation studio, was originally created to animate the film. However, it was later revealed that Tim Miller’s studio Blur would handle the animation.

Paul Rudd was considered for the role of Tom the cop who befriends Sonic.

The slogan of the film «Every hero has a genesis» is a reference to the Sega Genesis game console, on which the Sonic games were first released in 1991 year.

Ben Schwartz (voice of Sonic in this movie) and Jason Griffith (voice of Sonic in the games from 2005-2010, as well as the English dub of the anime Sonic X (2003-2006)) both voiced Leonardo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Chris Evans, Jake Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Bill Hader, Jason Segal, Justin Timberlake, Adam Pally, Ansel Elgort and Milo Ventimiglia were considered for the role of Tom.

Ben Schwartz voices a character in a feature film for the 3rd time. The first two were Turbo (2013) and The LEGO Movie 2 (2019)).

James Marsden’s third feature-animation hybrid film, after Enchanted (2007) and Big-Eared Riot (2011).

James Marsden and Jim Carrey previously starred in comic book films. Marsden was Cyclops in the first X-Men trilogy, and Carrey was in The Mask (1994), Batman Forever (1995) and Kick-Ass 2 (2013).

This is the first collaboration between James Marsden and Jim Carrey.

Sonic the Movie is an action-adventure comedy based on the world-famous SEGA video game franchise. nine0004

The transformation of SEGA’s key video game character into a major film project was made possible by three figures: 1) Jim Carrey, the comedy genius everyone adores for his phenomenal grimaces; 2) Neil Moritz, creator of the Fast & Furious franchise; 3) Jeff Fowler, an Oscar-winning filmmaker and Sonic fan since childhood.

According to Moritz, it was a challenge to imbue this project with the recognizable elements of the franchise that fans have been waiting for, and at the same time make the film understandable and engaging for completely new viewers who don’t know who Sonic is. By the way, while working on the film, Moritz learned that their segment is even smaller than he expected: “We found that Sonic’s recognition is higher than that of many other pop culture icons, such as Lego. Everyone likes Sonic’s speed and charisma, ”says the producer. “This film has everything we love about cinema: intense action, humor, as well as the warmth that comes from the friendship between Sonic and a human,” continues Moritz. «Sonic is making his first appearance in a non-animated world, which opens up a lot of options for who he could be and what he could do,» adds executive producer Tim Miller. nine0004

Director Jeff Fowler fell in love with Sonic at the age of 13: “I immediately realized that this game and this hero will change the gaming world forever. Sonic was like no other, it was a breakthrough! I have never taken anyone as personally as I did him. He removed the fourth wall, which has never happened before in video games. And he behaved like a teenager, I wanted to be friends with him and trust him. He also has a sense of humor and an unusual superpower.» As a fan of the game, Jeff Fowler respects and appreciates its spirit. He immediately promised to transfer all the key elements of the Sonic universe to the film: super speed, golden rings that open time and space portals for Sonic, energy emeralds to recharge superpowers, and branded red shoes. “We made him vulnerable so that it would be easier for him to find his way to the heart of the viewer. His sarcasm and not too friendly manner of communication is a reflection of how he feels in our world,” explains Jeff Fowler. “The film has an absolutely mesmerizing chase scene featuring Sonic and Robotnik as they race through Paris, along the Great Wall of China, around the Egyptian Pyramids, culminating in the Green Hills – all within minutes. You’ve never seen anything like it before!” says Neil Moritz. But the producer was impressed in Fowler not only with his talent for creating action scenes, but also with what passion he treated Sonic and the details of his image. The result is a story that is heartbreaking in its essence, which he filled with adventure and humor to the maximum. ” nine0004

Sonic’s attempts to settle down on Earth bring him together with a new friend, Green Village Sheriff Sir Donut, better known locally as Tom. The sleepy town seems like paradise to Sonic, «the best place on Earth», but Tom, according to James Marsden, «yearns for something more than to lead a family of ducks across the road, although he has great attachment to the city and its inhabitants. » Tom, with Maddie’s support, prepares to join the San Farncisco Police Department. “Tom is a good guy with the right values. Of course, being separated from Maddie is a big test for both of them, but he knows he can’t do otherwise,” explains James Marsden. “James is always cheerful, sincere, sincere, he does not deprive anyone of attention. He is very sweet and open. Tom and Maddie’s relationship is filled with humor and positivity, and that’s exactly how it was on set,” says Tika Sumpter, who played Marsden’s on-screen love. After meeting Sonic, Tom thinks he has finally found his balance. “He sees something in Sonic that makes him care. Their friendship means a lot to both of them. Both Tom and Sonic want to be seen for who they are, not judged by where they’re from,» adds James Marsden. nine0004

Sonic is an alien who is trying to understand himself, and Tom is a local who dreams of breaking out into the big world. From this clash of opposites begins their joint adventure, which is destined to turn their destinies.

Tom and Sonic’s friendship grows stronger as they travel to San Francisco to collect the golden rings. On their heels come Doctor Robotnik, his constant assistant Agent Stone (Lee Majdub) and a mechanized army of high-tech drones. “The great thing about Robotnik is that he is not just the smartest guy in any company — he is generally the smartest on the planet, he is a madman with an IQ level of 300. Nobody loved him or raised him, so he hates this world: because he forgot about it. He dreams of becoming a caretaker in a mechanized prison, which will become the general staff of the ruler of the universe. To embody this evil, to play as if the spotlights are always directed only at you — what could be better? — admires Jim Carrey. At some point, Robotnik almost manages to grab Sonic, and he starts dancing. This is the dance of the winner, who almost managed to take possession of the most powerful force in the world, to the song «Where Evil Grows» by the Canadian group Poppy Family. “I grew up on this song, and it fits Robotnik perfectly,” adds Jim Carrey, a Canadian by birth, touched. — It was a lot of fun to work on this episode, as well as on the whole film. My hero’s lab kept all sorts of strange and wonderful things, and the coolest thing was flying in his spaceship with a crane. And I really like Sonic himself as a character: he is a pure and innocent soul who loves life and knows that there will always be fun in it, and this is my philosophy. Like him, I get out of bed every morning with the intention of doing what I love the most.” “Reinventing Robotnik was quite a delicate task, because in the game he seems to be a rather abstract character. Jim and I found a way to make it more realistic and modern while still maintaining its impressive scale. I am very grateful to Jim for his contribution, for giving the villain the only true gestures, movements, phrases. Jim Carrey is a very smart, funny and unlike any other artist. He was able to literally appropriate this hero for himself,” director Jeff Fowler admires. nine0004

Critically acclaimed Technicolor Comedy star Tika Sumpter is also a fan of Sonic and video games. “I played it as a child and it left the fondest memories,” says Sumpter. Her heroine is veterinarian Maddy, a smart, sincere and loving girl who supports her husband Tom in everything: both in his desire to become a cop in the big city, and later in his care for Sonic. “All this points to the strength of their marriage. He knows that he can always come to Maddie and tell her about anything — even a bright blue super-fast alien from another world. This is the level of trust!” Tika admires. According to Sumpter, there is a lot of humanity in Sonic, she calls him «a free-spirited child who, like everyone else, dreams of loving and being loved — he is lonely and wants to have a family.» nine0004

The debut of Sonic the Hedgehog on the big screen was an unforgettable event for the actors and filmmakers. And as executive producer Tim Miller assures, this unique character can’t help but evoke viewer empathy: «He runs very, very fast, he has great new friends, he’s a little restless and he always has a taunt in store. In a word, Sonic has everything that the viewer — regardless of age — loves in the movie. Producer Neil Moritz agrees, adding: “I am proud of the mood, the soul and the emotional message of the film. At its core, this is a story about something really important, big, exciting.” Jim Carrey recalls how he once sat down to play with his grandson, and he just crushed him: “I was amazed at how easy and comfortable he was in this universe. These games have turned our kids into jet pilots! I hope that viewers will get the same experience from watching this film and become full partners in Sonic’s first movie adventure.» nine0004

James Marsden states that “Sonic speaks to our inner child that is in everyone. Children in the film will enjoy the fun atmosphere and adventure, and their parents will enjoy the accurate humor, warmth and colorful large-scale episodes. It’s the best of all worlds, a fun carousel for everyone.» And the final word to those who could not help but take the opportunity to make the first ever film about Sonic: “I will be glad if my work will appeal to fans and give rise to a new generation of those who love it.