Sonic the Hedgehog is a name with a sorted history. Some look back on the original games like Sonic 1 and 2, and maybe even the more recent Sonic Mania and feel a sense of happiness and nostalgia. Others look back on the other games like Sonic Unleashed and Sonic and the Black Knight and are filled with disgust for what the series has become.
Whatever your relationship with Sonic is, a move by SEGA of America is either going to change the way you feel, or cement it even further.
SEGA Holdings has announced today that SEGA of America has reached a final agreement with Paramount Pictures to co-produce a Sonic the Hedgehog movie. The movie is set for a theatrical release beginning on November 15th, 2019.
SEGA of America hopes this new medium will bring Sonic to new audiences globally. SEGA Group has been working to expand the character past just a video game character and make him into a entertainment franchise.
This want to create an even larger brand out of Sonic can be seen with things like the Sonic Boom television show on Cartoon Network, consumer products such as children’s toys, and console and mobile games.
“I am very honored that our companies, SEGA and MARZA, have this incredible opportunity to partner with Paramount Pictures for this production, which will bring Sonic to the big screen for the first time. Since he was first introduced to the world 26 years ago, Sonic has continued to grow in popularity as part of our core strategy to focus on video games. In addition to video games, this provides SEGA with a fantastic opportunity to share Sonic with everyone and we can't wait to reveal more to eager audiences in the future,” said SEGA Holdings Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Haruki Satomi.
The Sonic movie is planned to showcase both live-action and CG animation elements. This concept may give Sonic fans flash backs to Sonic ‘06, where Sonic had a questionable relationship with a human woman, Princess Elise. While I don’t think that SEGA would make that mistake twice, their history would dictate otherwise.
Several notable industry veterans have been signed to the project. Producer Neal H Moritz who worked on the Fast and Furious series. Director Jeff Fowler who was an Academy Award nominee back in 2005 for Best Animated Short Film. Executive producer Tim Miller who directed Deadpool and owns the CG production company Blur Studio.
“I'm thrilled to be partnered with SEGA and to have such an incredible and supportive home for Sonic with Jim and Paramount,” said Moritz.
I, myself, am approaching this with lowered standards and a cautious optimism. The worst thing I see coming out of this whole venture is Sonic: The Movie: The Game similar to the Street Fighter: The Movie arcade game.
Honestly, if this movie turns out to be terrible and a box office flop, would any of us actually be surprised?
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