‘Sonic 3’ Writers Remember Being Pitied After Infamous ‘Ugly Sonic’ Trailer

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As a film enthusiast who has seen the evolution of video game adaptations, I must say that the journey of Sonic the Hedgehog has been nothing short of extraordinary. Having been with the franchise since its early days, writers Josh Miller and Pat Casey have truly demonstrated patience, resilience, and an unwavering passion for their work.

From the infamous “Ugly Sonic” meme to a beloved trilogy, the Sonic series has come a long way. I remember watching the first movie, 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog, which seems like a quaint prequel compared to its sequels. The more fantastical elements of Sonic lore were introduced in the later movies, such as Tails, Knuckles, Shadow the Hedgehog, and Chaos Emeralds.

The first movie was different, adopting a traditional family film setup that felt reminiscent of films like The Smurfs or Hop. However, I must admit that I was initially skeptical about the franchise’s potential after the backlash from the initial teaser trailer. But the redesign and subsequent delay proved to be a blessing in disguise, as it set the stage for Sonic to break the mold for video game adaptations and pave the way for future successes like Fallout, The Last of Us, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

The rise of Sonic the Hedgehog has been truly impressive, especially considering its tumultuous beginnings at Sony Pictures. Paramount Pictures took a chance on the franchise during a time when many of their biggest franchises were struggling, and they have certainly reaped the rewards. The delayed release of Sonic the Hedgehog in 2020 marked one of the last films I saw in the theater before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, and it was a delight to see Sonic return to the big screen in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 during the post-pandemic era.

Now, Sonic the Hedgehog is one of Paramount Pictures’ most valuable IPs, with plans for a fourth movie already set for release in 2027 and potential spin-offs like Knuckles on the horizon. Josh Miller and Pat Casey have been instrumental in the growth of the franchise, helping it transform from a small-scale story to an epic cosmic tale that will undoubtedly continue to evolve with subsequent movies.

In closing, I’d like to leave you with this joke: Why don’t Sonic and Shadow ever play hide and seek? Because good luck hiding when someone can run at the speed of sound! Keep an eye on this franchise, as it’s only going to get faster from here!

The writers, Josh Miller and Pat Casey, have been associated with the Sonic the Hedgehog movie series since its initial stages. As they shared in a recent interview with MovieWeb, they began working on the first film around late 2017, which means they’ve been part of this franchise for nearly a decade—a fact that seems incredible to them. Since the release of the first teaser trailer in April 2019, often referred to as “Ugly Sonic,” many aspects have evolved within the series. After a pause to introduce a new design, the Sonic film franchise transitioned from being an internet meme to a cherished trilogy. Now, with Sonic the Hedgehog 3, one of the most anticipated movies this holiday season, it has garnered some of the best reviews in the series’ history, reflecting its progress and success.

“Initially, it was viewed as something of a joke when our first project debuted,” Casey elaborated.

During the gap between the first and second Sonic trailers, we continued to attend meetings in an attempt to secure other jobs. Executives would ask about our progress with Sonic, as if they felt sorry for us. We would respond, “No, no, the movie is great!” [laughs] However, our enthusiasm was not shared by others at the time. Now, with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 receiving positive attention and being taken seriously as a big film with good reviews, it’s incredibly rewarding to see people finally acknowledge its quality.

Why the First ‘Sonic’ Movie Was Different

2020’s “Sonic the Hedgehog” film appears somewhat simple compared to its sequels, as they delved deeper into the mythical aspects of the Sonic universe, including characters like Tails, Knuckles, Shadow the Hedgehog, and Chaos Emeralds. Conversely, the original “Sonic the Hedgehog” film followed a more conventional family movie structure, where a fantastical character is transported to our world, similar to “The Smurfs” or “Hop”. As writer Josh Miller put it, many fans might have preferred the sequels to resemble the game “Sonic 3“.

However, the challenge in producing a film like this is humorously evident due to the recent past – studios were wary of video game adaptations because of a significant history of poor critical and financial performances. Consequently, the first movie had to avoid being too similar to a traditional Sonic film that die-hard fans might have desired.

Miller expressed his gratitude towards the fans for their patience as they waited for the inclusion of some of the franchise’s most recognizable features.

It was fantastic that they seemed to enjoy the film, which in turn enabled the series to evolve into something we all desired, enriching each subsequent installment. It’s been wonderful to see fans remain loyal and give the storyline time to develop and align more closely with the video games as it grew.

Sonic the Hedgehog Has Come a Long Way

It’s been fascinating to witness the surge and widespread appeal of the “Sonic the Hedgehog” series. Originally intended for development by Sony Pictures, the movie underwent a change in direction. In 2017, Paramount Pictures acquired the rights at a time when some of their major franchises, like “Transformers: The Last Knight,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows,” and “Star Trek Beyond,” were experiencing disappointing box office performances.

Following the initial teaser trailer that many found unappealing due to the original Sonic’s design, there was a sense that the movie would perpetuate the pattern of poor video game adaptations. However, the redesign led to a postponement of the film until February 2020, making it the last for some in cinemas before the closure of theaters due to COVID-19.

Sonic the Hedgehog paved a unique path for movie adaptations of video games, initiating a wave of such adaptations including Fallout, The Last of Us, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Prior to the closure of cinemas, Sonic the Hedgehog was among the final films that people watched, while Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was one of the movies, along with Spider-Man: No Way Home and The Batman, that demonstrated audiences’ eagerness to return to theaters post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, “Sonic the Hedgehog” stands as a highly prized intellectual property (IP) for Paramount Pictures. The fourth installment, “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” is scheduled for release in 2027, and there are expectations of additional spin-offs, such as a series featuring Knuckles. Josh Miller and Pat Casey have been instrumental since the start, nurturing the series’ growth from a modest narrative in “Sonic the Hedgehog” to the expansive cosmic saga of “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.” This grand space tale is expected to continue expanding with future films.

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2024-12-30 00:03