In a recent interview, Sega Europe COO and president Gary Dale explained why he believes controlling Paramount’s live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movie would be the wrong approach.
Paramount Pictures released the first official trailer for its adaptation of Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog earlier this year, to which fans responded by lambasting the titular character’s design. The outcry prompted the studio to push back the film’s release date in order to change Sonic’s appearance and the situation prompted some fans to question why Sega didn’t have more creative input on Paramount’s Sonic film, particularly when it came to the blue hedgehog’s design.
Speaking with gamesindustry.biz, Gary Dale commented on the decision to redesign Sonic so late in the post-production phase. According to Dale, Paramount has been open to listening to feedback from the Sonic community and both parties are vying to work together to make the best film possible:
“Obviously we have a very deep knowledge of the character and the brand. [Paramount] has a very deep knowledge of how to make movies. The trick is just to bring those two skillsets together to make the best film we can. To be fair, Paramount has been open to listening to feedback from the community around Sonic, which of course has got such a tremendously loyal fanbase with people with very specific views of who Sonic is, how Sonic should behave, how Sonic should look. And I think Paramount has taken a lot of that on board.”
As for whether or not Sega should follow the path of other video game developers and be more involved in the upcoming Sonic film, Dale explained why he believes this could be the wrong approach considering the success rate of video game adaptations:
“I think the opportunity with Sonic is a particular situation for that film. And I think there’s a view here that we’re very good at making video games and Paramount is very good at making pictures… This is a film. I think the idea that you try to control Paramount would be the wrong approach. But at the same time, for Paramount not to take into account our views on Sonic would also be wrong. I think we’re looking for a creative partnership that gets the best film. And over the years, I look at the success of game franchises in film and it’s very mixed. The idea that games makers can control the process and create great movies… I don’t know if that’s true or not.”
But where do you stand on this topic? Should Sega have more input on Paramount’s Sonic movie? Sound-off your thoughts in the comments section!
Here is the official synopsis for Sonic the Hedgehog:
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG is a live-action adventure comedy based on the global blockbuster video game franchise from Sega that centres on the infamously brash bright blue hedgehog. The film follows the (mis)adventures of Sonic as he navigates the complexities of life on Earth with his newfound – human – best friend Tom Wachowski (James Marsden). Sonic and Tom join forces to try and stop the villainous Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) from capturing Sonic and using his immense powers for world domination.
Directed by Jeff Fowler from a script written by Patrick Casey, Josh Miller, and Oren Uziel, Sonic the Hedgehog features the voice talent of Ben Schwartz as the titular character and stars James Marsden as sheriff Tom Wachowski, Jim Carrey as Dr. Ivo Robotnik, Neal McDonough as US Army Major Bennington, Tika Sumpter as Mrs. Wachowski, Lee Majdoub as Stone, and Frank C. Turner as Crazy Carl. Adam Pally, Natasha Rothwell, Debs Howard, and Elfina Luk also star in undisclosed roles.
Sonic the Hedgehog hits theaters on February 14, 2020. Stay tuned to Heroic Hollywood for the latest news on the live-action Sonic movie as we learn it!
Source: gamesindustry.biz
