'Sonic the Hedgehog' director promises lightning-fast makeover after online backlash to toothy trailer

Ethan Alter
·Senior Writer, Yahoo Entertainment
Updated

Well, that was fast. Days after moviegoers got their first glimpse of Sonic the Hedgehog in the video game character’s upcoming live-action movie, director Jeff Fowler has indicated that major changes are in store for Sega’s super-speedy critter. Responding to the social media backlash over Sonic’s appearance — with his uncanny human teeth singled out for special criticism — Fowler took to Twitter with a promise: “You aren’t happy with the design & you want changes. It’s going to happen.”

Sonic fans appreciated Fowler’s intention to give their favorite hedgehog a makeover before the film hits theaters on Nov. 8.

Some couldn’t resist making their own suggestions for improvements, some of which were more serious than others.

One common theme among the responses to Fowler’s note is that fans are willing to wait for the filmmakers to create the best Sonic possible instead of rushing the hedgehog into theaters. After all, with only six months to go until the film’s release, the film’s VFX artists would have a difficult task in front of them.

Sonic the Hedgehog wouldn’t be the first production to radically reinvent a digital character in a limited timeframe. For example, Gollum underwent a significant makeover in between his first appearance in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and his reintroduction as a major character in The Two Towers. Meanwhile, Ang Lee’s reviled (and underappreciated) 2003 version of Hulk infamously released a Super Bowl commercial with early CGI footage of the green giant that looked decidedly unfinished. Fortunately, Sonic is used to moving quickly so the crew won’t have to put up with any diva-ish complaints.

Sonic the Hedgehog races into theaters on Nov. 8.

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