Sonic The Hedgehog Franchise Director Reflects On Design Backlash 5 Years Later: "Those Opinions Were Heard & Addressed"

Sonic the Hedgehog franchise director Jeff Fowler has reflected on the main hero's original design backlash five years after the infamous first trailer. When the first trailer for the first film was released, Sonic's design was heavily criticized, with his small eyes, gloveless hands, and human teeth causing him to be dubbed "Ugly Sonic" by fans. Luckily, Paramount responded by redesigning the character and pushing the movie from November 2019 to February 2020. The redesign may have contributed to the franchise's success, with the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 already being hailed as the best in the series so far.

Speaking with Deadline, Fowler explained how Sonic's original design in the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie, and subsequent redesign, was a reflection of how much the production cared for fan's voices about the film. He calls it part of the series' history and one of many challenges they've faced, including shooting the second movie during a pandemic, and the third during Hollywood's writer and actor strikes. Check out what Fowler had to say below:

Every movie is going to face challenges and obviously we had some very public ones with the redesign, but all that stuff has just become part of our story. And it’s something that I sort of champion. We now have this amazing relationship with our fans. They obviously voiced some opinions, and those opinions were heard and addressed. It’s now just become part of this great relationship with them. It’s amazing to me that we’re here on a third film, and we’ve made a TV series. I mean, Sonic 2 was made during a pandemic. Sonic 3, we had a writer strike, we had an actor strike. We have always found a way through.

What Fowler's Statement Says About Sonic's Eventual Redesign

The Movies Wouldn't Be The Same Without A More Game-Accurate Look

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While the success of the first movie came from both its appeal to an all-ages audience and Jim Carrey's performance as Dr. Robotnik, the effort to redesign Sonic no doubt helped in making it even more appealing. Had the first movie not turned a profit at the box office, its two sequels and Knuckles spinoff series on Paramount+ wouldn't exist. This would also mean the cast of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 wouldn't consist of famous voices like Idris Elba as Knuckles or Keanu Reeves as Shadow, had the film even existed.

Related How Fast Sonic The Hedgehog Can Run The Sonic the Hedgehog movies have proven that the titular blue blur is fast, but here is how fast the character can actually run in the games.

Although the initial reactions to "Ugly Sonic" were negative, the design has since become a joke, with Paramount giving away an ugly Christmas sweater with the original design in their 12 Hours of Sonic 3 Giveaway earlier this month. The character also showed up in 2022's Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, voiced by Tim Robison, as an FBI contact after getting scrapped from the film. This new, tongue-in-cheek presentation for the design shows how far the film series has come, and how the game-like redesign bought it plenty of goodwill for audiences.

Our Take On Sonic's Original Design & Subsequent Backlash

Listening To The Fans Paid Off

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Without listening to the fans about Sonic's bad original design, Sonic the Hedgehog 3's release likely wouldn't have even happened. The more game-accurate take on character presentation is just one complimentary element to the series slowly embracing more elements from the games. Given the initial positive reception to the newest movie, the design change is clearly still working in the series' favor. If Fowler and crew can keep improving on the franchise with every new installment, Sonic the Hedgehog could be around for a long time to come.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will feature two post-credits scenes, setting the stage for where the franchise will be going next.

Since post-credits scenes have been confirmed for the latest installment, the movie universe is likely to continue expanding into the future, introducing more familiar game characters with every new entry. Since Carrey has addressed Sonic the Hedgehog 4 return chances rather positively, it seems the Blue Blur and his friends aren't going anywhere. Had the aesthetic of Sonic's original design not been altered to adhere more to the games, it's unlikely the series would have come this far, with long-standing plans now seemingly in place for its future.

Luckily, the improvement means similar design choices won't be made in the future, with Fowler's emphasis on the original being a mistake a good sign for future characters.

Had the movies continued to embrace the uncanny design from the first trailer, it probably would have been lambasted by fans with every new installment, probably not making it to the point the third film is at. Luckily, the improvement means similar design choices won't be made in the future, with Fowler's emphasis on the original being a mistake a good sign for future characters. This is especially important for Sonic the Hedgehog 3's post-credits scenes and how they'll set up the franchise for even more exciting adventures.

Read More About Sonic The Hedgehog's Movie Universe

The Franchise Is On Track To Keep Expanding

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While it's unclear where the franchise will go after Sonic the Hedgehog 3's secret character gets revealed, it's still unimaginable how the film series might not have existed had Sonic's original design stayed the same. Being more accurate to the games had a ripple effect that no doubt altered Tails' design in Sonic the Hedgehog's end-credits scene, something that might not have allowed the story to continue like it has. Five years later, and the franchise is thriving like never before, with possibilities now for everything from a Shadow spinoff to Knuckles season 2.

Idris Elba and Keanu Reeves pitched a potential Shadow and Knuckles spinoff series ahead of Sonic the Hedgehog 3's release.

Ugly Sonic's design wouldn't have been able to help the series reach the heights it has, making altering the design a very important move that made the series more profitable than it would have been otherwise. With Carrey playing two Robotniks and G.U.N. having a larger role, the series embracing Sonic the Hedgehog game lore shows how much it's transformed thanks to the redesign. The success of the franchise is owed to Sonic's bad design to some extent, since the change showed how much Fowler and crew care about honoring the series, and its fans.

Paramount Sonic the Hedgehog Movies & TV Shows Release Date Sonic the Hedgehog 02-14-2020 Sonic the Hedgehog 2 04-08-2022 Knuckles season 1 04-26-2024 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 12-20-2024

Source: Deadline