The history of video game company sega can be perceived as moments of near-simultaneous endings and beginnings, and the same can be said of its flagship property “Sonic the hedgehog.” Back in July, the longstanding partnership between Sega of America and Archie Comics ended, and along with it the 24-year, 290-issue comic book run of Sonic with Archie (started as a tie-in to the 90s cartoon series).
Following in August, Sega indulged fan nostalgia big-time by releasing the retro-styled “Sonic Mania” throwback game on multiple platforms. But that was merely the beginning.
Now the news is out that Sega has given the film rights to Paramount Pictures, for a live-action/CGI film adaptation starring the most famous hedgehog in video games.
Collaborative effort
You read right. Talk of a “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie is starting up again. Sega originally awarded the film rights to Sony Entertainment, but after letting it lapse without going to full production, they have put the movie on turnaround and Paramount is picking it up.
Filmmaker Neil Moritz has signed a deal with the production powerhouse to have a first-look option for his studio, Original Film. If it pulls through, Moritz will produce the movie, collaborator Tim Miller (director of “Deadpool”) will serve as executive producer and Jeff Fowler is being tapped to direct.
Fowler, whose short film “Gopher Broke” received an Oscar nomination for “Best Animated Short Film” in 2004, will be making his major feature film directing debut in translating “Sonic” for the big screen. Miller was executive producer for “Gopher Broke,” making him a solid partner in the main production team of the film for Paramount.
He will be joined by Toby Ascher, and co-producers Dmitri Johnson and Dan Jevons.
Sonic outside the games
Ever since Sega released his first game for the Genesis console back in 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog has been an unexpected gaming media darling. He eventually became the face of Sega, even well after the company stopped producing game hardware to focus on game title development.
The super-fast hedgehog has appeared in a multitude of animated productions on both sides of the Pacific. DIC Entertainment produced three full TV series, one of which was the basis for the Archie Comics “Sonic” run. Various Japanese studios created their own TV shows and OVA series. Sonic even made a cameo in the 2012 Disney animated movie “Wreck-It-Ralph.”
The “Sonic the Hedgehog” film from Paramount and Original Film has been stated to be a hybrid of live-action footage and CGI graphics. No release date has been given yet, so early in development.
