‘Sonic’ director & studio agree redesign after ferocious Twitter backlash to trailer
Almost immediately upon release, the trailer for the live-action version of Sonic the Hedgehog was torched online as fans decried a ghastly interpretation of the cult, cartoon classic superhero. And the studio actually listened.
Amid a slew of live-action remakes of animated classics, it is almost unheard of to see studio executives bow to the prevailing taste consensus when die-hard fans react negatively en masse, but there’s a first time for everything, as proven by Sonic director Jeff Fowler. He responded to the backlash to Tuesday’s trailer by agreeing to go back to the drawing board and try again.
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 🔧✌️
— Jeff Fowler (@fowltown) May 2, 2019
Current reaction to Sonic movie trailer. pic.twitter.com/wxVi5P9iWH
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) April 30, 2019
— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 3, 2019
Criticism mostly centered around the hero’s strange teeth, and the hedgehog’s somewhat under-stylized body and eyes.
i'm a good friend pic.twitter.com/EwEntaellC
— Preeti Chhibber (@runwithskizzers) April 30, 2019
[Sonic the Hedgehog movie pitch meeting]Jim Carrey: [chanting] teeth, teeth -Director: teeth, TEETHParamount execs [pounding the table]: TEETH, TEETH, TEETH! https://t.co/eDzzAmSjDC
— Gavia Baker-Whitelaw (@Hello_Tailor) April 30, 2019
Good morning to absolutely everyone and everything other than live action Sonic the Hedgehog’s creepy human teeth xx pic.twitter.com/yJX6WPW7Li
— Alanah Pearce (@Charalanahzard) April 30, 2019
How about this version? pic.twitter.com/uhNWsNczJd
— Jeeseburger (@Jesse_Uplinger) May 1, 2019
But, this being the 21st century and all, artists quickly provided their own visions of how the studio might correct their mistake ahead of the film’s November release.
Left is original screenshot. Right is my rework to make #Sonic more stylized. pic.twitter.com/IhXeAZYlQI
— Edward Pun (@EdwardPun1) April 30, 2019
Sorry for all of the online criticism I'm sure a lot of it was extremely harsh and unnecessary but I very much agree that Sonic could use some changes. Thank you for listening to our feedback. Here are some edits I made: pic.twitter.com/R8iDXUGRni
— Li @ Hyrule 🌿 (@LiKovacs) May 2, 2019
However, while the studio and director have committed “to making this character the BEST he can be,” many wondered about the unfortunate animators and visual effects artists that will likely be pulling double shifts to beat the deadline. #gottafixfast indeed.
I hope none of the VFX artists die of exhaustion while forced to redo the entire movie in 6mos
— Suppressive Person (@commiegoth) May 3, 2019
My dream:Every artist in the world boycotts work on the Sonic film. Permanently.The film remains an unfinished work for 20 years, eventually leaked to the public as 90 minutes of the late Jim Carrey and James Marsden yelling at a green ball on a stick
— Hbomb (@Hbomberguy) May 3, 2019
Take it in a bold new direction and cast Patrick Stewart as Sonic. No CGI, it’s just him in normal clothes and everyone treats him like he’s a blue quick hedgehog
— Philosophy Tube (@PhilosophyTube) May 3, 2019
I guess what I want the live action Sonic to do is keep Dr. Robotnik and just… drop Sonic. Just take him out of the picture. Just have this terrible steampunk Robotnik running around a town in Indiana screaming he's going to destroy a blue hedgehog. There is no hedgehog
— mcc (@mcclure111) April 30, 2019
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