Film genres like sci-fi or movie musicals are tried and true methods of filmmaking, but there are other types of film that aren't quite as lucky. Video game blockbusters are one of the latter type movie, as adapting gaming's biggest characters on the silver screen has proven universally difficult. There has yet to be a truly transcendent movie based on a video game title, and the first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog seemed to all but guarantee that the upcoming release will join those woeful ranks.
When the trailer for Sonic arrived two months ago, it showed a colorful world and an upcoming movie starring James Marsden and Jim Carrey. But the title character looked noticeably different from his video game appearance, complete with a set of unnerving teeth. Sonic the Hedgehog was ultimately delayed as a result of the backlash, so the gaming hero's appearance could be redesigned. Deadpool and Terminator: Dark Fate director Tim Miller is an executive producer on the upcoming movie, and recently confirmed he'd seen the new version of Sonic, saying:
In fact I have. And I think the fans will be pleased.
Clearly the team behind Sonic the Hedgehog is taking stock in fan opinion and reaction. And when the general moviegoing public and Sonic fans saw the blue speedster's original appearance, they made their feelings known.
For some reason, there was something off about Sonic's look in the first Sonic the Hedgehog trailer. Despite having the blue fur and signature red shoes, it just didn't feel like the Sonic that gamers knew and loved. Upon further inspection, it seemed part of the problem was Sonic's eyes; they weren't the oversized peepers that he's had in both TV and video game appearances.
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Then there's the teeth. For some reason, Sonic's chompers rubbed people the wrong way. It's unclear what the new design will be, but smart money says the redesign is largely focused on the character's facial features.
In his same conversation with Variety, Tim Miller said he and director Jeff Fowler agreed with the backlash over Sonic's character. And as an executive producer, Miller encouraged the team to admit their faults and go back to the drawing board. As he put it:
Look, I was with fans and so was Jeff. When the shit hit the fan, I went over there and said, 'The most important thing to do, man, is say I fucked up. He’d already sent a tweet out an hour before I got there. He’s a good man. It was exactly the right way to handle that. The fans have a voice in this too. There’s a right way to listen.
It looks like both the director and producer were unhappy with how Sonic looked in the movie's first trailer. In that case, I have to wonder how the design made it so far, and was released to the public. Regardless, Tim Miller and company are righting those wrongs, and he's teasing that the new look for Sonic will make the fans happy.
Sonic The Hedgehog is currently set to arrive in theaters on February 14, 2020. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
