If we were to sum up the general consensus on the design of live-action Sonic the Hedgehog in two words, it would be “nightmare fuel.”
From the smaller-than-expected eyes and weirdly muscular body to his cursed teeth, almost everything is off with this version of the blue blur. When the best thing you can say about Sonic’s design is, “well, at least he’s blue,” then you have a problem.
After copping wave after wave of fan complaints, Jeff Fowler, director of the upcoming live-action Sonic The Hedgehog film, revealed on Twitter that the creative team has heard all your feedback and will redesign the character.
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
Unsurprisingly, this announcement has been well-received by Sonic fans everywhere though it does bring up a couple of big talking points, like how redesigning the main character of a CGI film like Sonic this late into production is basically unheard of, not to mention the precedent this sets with studios kowtowing to fan demands (which is a story for another day).
But look, that’s not the main thing people are thinking of right now. With Sonic getting a makeover, the question on everyone’s mind is, “what will he look like now?”
Well it just so happens that a heap of fans have their own ideas on live-action Sonic’s design and weren’t afraid to share them to Fowler on Twitter. To be honest, a lot of them actually look pretty damn good so the film’s creative team will certainly have a lot of reference points.
This is a great redesign. Works with the current base frame of your Sonic. Larger eyes and stretched irises, white fur between the two eyes as a nod to the mono eye, pointier ears, stretched belly, larger shoes, arms same colour as belly fur, slightly slimmer legs. Good luck! ? pic.twitter.com/2ORWH8oGUv
— Riley Little ? E3 2019 (@TheRileyLittle) May 2, 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 Kovacs – E3 Hype ? (@LiKovacs) May 2, 2019
maybe something like this? pic.twitter.com/INTjCZw4A5
— Saiko♦️ #GOFIMO (@SaikoMene) May 2, 2019
Thank you, please make good changes, we want to see Sonic how he has to look, learn from pikachu detective. Warner is laughing at you. Keep the Sonic aspect the way it should be.
This drawing does not belong to me, but it is a good example to follow. pic.twitter.com/LDz43BoAeR
— yesmen10 (@Bryananimador) May 2, 2019
I really don't know what to say other than my honest thanks to everyone who made this decision happen. I've compiled a few inspirational designs to use (but I can't credit the artists because I don't know who they are)! pic.twitter.com/44yccacVUX
— Sunny Gupta (@Inkxjx) May 2, 2019
The body pic.twitter.com/R5J9nxT1JY
— Ezequiel Cabrera (@cabrerabalta) May 2, 2019
In the spirit of all the new designs being shared by fans, the GOAT team also put together our own idea for what Sonic should look like.
Presenting… Sonicolas Cage!
Beautiful, isn’t it?
We’re sorry but not sorry.