When I first watched the trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog with the original design I knew instantly it was going to be a disaster. It looked horrible, as if something from your worst nightmare materialized itself and put on a fur suit. It wasn’t just me, but the entire internet seemed to be on the same page as me. Due to this backlash, Paramount decided to delay the movie and work to redesign Sonic.
Several months later the Sonic the Hedgehog movie was in theaters with the new design, and it was a big improvement from the original. The decision to redesign Sonic literally saved the movie, and the movie itself actually turned out to be really good. It’s a fun family friendly movie clearly made for a younger audience, but what if the original design was used with these kid friendly jokes and interactions? For me personally, I think it may have ended up feeling pretty disturbing.
After watching this kid friendly movie and then trying to imagine what it would have been like with the original design, the only thing I can picture is a very awkward and cringe interaction between the actors and Sonic in the movie. The playful and entertaining Sonic they created did not fit with the original design at all. It just would not have worked.
For anyone that watches the Sonic the Hedgehog movie, I challenge you to try and imagine the same scenes with the original design and not be weirded out. Even if the original design was kept I think I still would have gone and seen the movie. I would literally pay again to see the movie with the original design just so I can see how big of a disaster it would have turned out to be, but sadly I don’t think that will ever happen.
For the original Sonic the Hedgehog trailer click here: https://youtu.be/SXDa8i75PpM
Cory's Movie & TV Blog 