The “Sonic the Hedgehog” film franchise almost hit a major obstacle in 2019. A trailer released to promote the movie revealed a version of Sonic that fans quickly rejected. Fans dubbed this character “Ugly Sonic” for his human-like teeth and unrealistic body proportions.
A Major Backlash
When the trailer dropped, the backlash was swift and intense. It became one of the most-viewed trailers in Paramount’s history, but for all the wrong reasons. Around 90% of viewers disliked Sonic’s appearance. As producer Toby Ascher recalled, the movie quickly went from anticipation to disaster.
The film’s design choices created a whirlwind of criticism. Fans argued the character looked too different from the beloved video game icon. Ascher said, “We tried hard to create a faithful adaptation, but we felt like we ruined it for everyone.”
Redesigning Sonic: The $5 Million Fix
Realizing the problem, Paramount decided to redesign Sonic. They chose to delay the movie by three months, which gave the team enough time to fix the character’s design. The change cost the studio around $5 million, but it was well worth it.
The redesigned Sonic became a major success, and the movie earned nearly $1.2 billion globally. The decision to invest in the redesign helped establish the “Sonic” franchise as a powerhouse in Hollywood. Paramount is now working on the fourth installment, expected in 2027.
The Importance of Character Design
The success of the Sonic redesign highlights the importance of character design in movies. “A redesign of a main character can make or break a franchise,” said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior analyst at Comscore. He added that the redesigned Sonic transformed what could have been a failed movie into a massive financial success.
The Road to Success
Ascher first acquired the rights to Sonic in 2013, during a time when video game-based films rarely succeeded. Early attempts to adapt video games into movies were often poorly received. “When we first started working on Sonic, making a video game adaptation was considered a bad idea,” Ascher said. But the team decided to approach Sonic with care, focusing on character development over world-building.
Neal Moritz, Ascher’s producing partner, emphasized that they aimed to create emotional arcs for Sonic and his companions. This effort set the franchise apart from other video game films, which focused more on spectacle than character.
The Big Decision to Redesign
After the trailer’s backlash, the team decided to act quickly. Moritz recalls telling executives, “We really messed up here, but we can fix it. We need more time and money.” Paramount and Sega approved the plan, ultimately leading to the franchise’s massive success.
Conclusion
Sonic’s redesign cost $5 million but resulted in a billion-dollar franchise. Paramount’s willingness to invest in the fix transformed a potential flop into a global success. The franchise is now stronger than ever, with plans for more films to come.
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