When Paramount debuted the teaser trailer for their live-action
Sonic the Hedgehog movie earlier this week, the studio likely wasn't expecting the amount of backlash the character's realistic design would receive from the iconic video game hero's legion of fans, but it looks like they're going to at least attempt to rectify that oversight by inputting some last-minute redesigns.
Earlier this afternoon, director Jeff Fowler tweeted the unexpected news, "
Thank you for the support. And the criticism. The message is loud and clear... you aren't happy with the design & you want changes. It's going to happen. Everyone at Paramount & Sega are fully committed to making this character the BEST he can be... #sonicmovie #gottafixfast"
With only six months until release, Paramount, Sega, and their partner VFX studios will need to work Sonic-fast to complete rendering his redesign before the film rolls out into theaters on November 8 if they want to avoid a possible delay. However, a delay may not exactly be the worst thing for the eagerly-awaited project as Paramount is also launching Tim Miller's
Terminator: Dark Fate the week prior, and it could help them avoid releasing two potential tentpoles back-to-back in a crowded November.
Sonic is an entirely CGI creation, so updating his eyes and possibly his arms or feet may be entirely doable within the given time frame, and considering Fowler's Academy Award-nominated background with visual effects, it seems unlikely that he would've made this bold statement without being absolutely certain a complete redesign was possible.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG is a live-action adventure comedy based on the global blockbuster videogame franchise from Sega that centers on the infamously brash bright blue hedgehog. The film follows the (mis)adventures of Sonic as he navigates the complexities of life on Earth with his newfound – human – best friend Tom Wachowski (James Marsden). Sonic and Tom join forces to try and stop the villainous Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) from capturing Sonic and using his immense powers for world domination. The film also stars Tika Sumpter and Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic.
Sonic the Hedgehog features:
Director: Jeff Fowler
Ben Schwartz as Sonic the Hedgehog
Jim Carrey as Dr. Ivo Robotnik/Doctor Eggman
James Marsden as Tom Wachowski
Tika Sumpter as Dr. Annie Wachowski
Adam Pally in an undisclosed role
Neal McDonough as Major Bennington
Lee Majdoub as Stone
Frank C. Turner as Crazy Carl
Natasha Rothwell in an undisclosed role
Debs Howard in an undisclosed role
Elfina Luk in an undisclosed role
Riff Raff in an undisclosed role
Sonic the Hedgehog speeds into theaters November 8