‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ Director Jeff Fowler Talks “Artistic Consultant” Jim Carrey and ‘Sonic 4’ Chatter: “We’ll See”

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As someone who has spent over two decades working in the world of visual effects and animation, I can honestly say that the journey of bringing Sonic to the big screen has been nothing short of exhilarating. From the initial challenges we faced with Sonic’s design on the first film to the incredible response we’ve received from fans for our latest installment, it’s been a wild ride.

For Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the fullest of full circles. 

Prior to his shift to directing feature films, Fowler spent numerous years as an animator at Tim Miller’s Blur Studio, where he played a significant part in creating high-definition cut scenes for several Sonic the Hedgehog video games. His most notable work includes contributions to Sega’s multi-platform spinoff game, Shadow the Hedgehog (2005), and when given the opportunity to hint at a character during the mid-credits of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), he eagerly seized it to introduce the “little badass” to the big screen. The character, who is a darker version of Sonic and is propelled by a far-reaching revenge crusade, was perfectly cast with Keanu Reeves, who effortlessly stepped into the role.

As a devoted fan, I couldn’t help but notice the buzz surrounding Jim Carrey, the voice behind Sonic’s nemesis Dr. Robotnik in Sonic 2. His rumors of impending retirement were everywhere, yet they didn’t ruffle my feathers one bit. I was always confident that our beloved series would continue to thrive!

Fowler stated to The Hollywood Reporter that he didn’t believe it for a moment. Jim seems to enjoy this role too much as the character. If we presented him with an exceptionally intriguing concept for playing Robotnik, I think he would be keen on reprising his role,” Fowler said.

Jim Carrey has consistently brought a creative flair to the Sonic movies. For instance, during the filming of Sonic 2, he surprised everyone by playing Pantera’s “Walk” on set, which was part of a proposal for Robotnik performing “robot guitar” inside his Giant Eggman Robot. This showed Fowler that Carrey’s talent wouldn’t be easily contained, especially when offered the intriguing dual roles in Sonic 3 as both Ivo Robotnik and his grandfather, Gerald Robotnik. As a result, Carrey took on an even larger role, influencing the character designs, character nuances, and improvised dialogue. His influence was so profound that he earned an extra credit for the film as “artistic consultant.

Carrey unexpectedly added a scene where the Robotniks themselves recognized that the same actor was portraying both characters, breaking the traditional boundary between the character and the audience (the “fourth wall”).

Fowler remarks, “Why miss out on a chance to give a subtle nod to the spectators? We all found the concept appealing as well, and it’s enjoyable to pay tribute to the Jim Carrey-esque performance in that particular scene.

As a devoted Sonic fan, I can’t help but get excited about the tantalizing hints dropped during the end credits of Sonic 3. It seems Paramount might be cooking up more appearances from beloved characters in a potential fourth movie! However, for now, Director Jeff Fowler is completely engrossed in the rollout and response to Sonic 3 itself.

Speaking about the vast array of characters in the Sonic universe, Fowler expresses his constant thrill at unveiling fresh faces towards the end of each film. Introducing new characters often propels us into unexplored territories, and it’s truly exhilarating. At the moment, though, our primary focus is on launching this third movie, hoping for a positive response. We’ll then evaluate where things head next.

During a recent chat with THR, Fowler mentioned that Carrey has portrayed Robotnik more times on the big screen than any other one of his iconic characters.

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Is it difficult to convince Keanu to take on roles? He’s passed up numerous intriguing prospects over various reasons. Was it necessary to go above and beyond to persuade him to portray Shadow?

We’ve laid out all our strategies, art creations, and numerous storylines for the film. A significant portion of the movie was already mapped out, and during the pitching phase, having compelling visuals is always beneficial. The prospective investor recognized the potential in the character, finding Shadow intriguing. After all, Shadow rides a motorcycle, similar to Reeves, and he possesses an array of extraordinary powers. However, what truly stood out was the character’s depth. He has a fascinating past that resonates with fans, and Keanu’s complex personality made him an ideal fit for this multidimensional role.

You’ve described Shadow’s backstory as having a “John Wick corollary.” Did he pick up on that?

There seems to have been an unspoken understanding between us. Even if Keanu hadn’t played any of those roles, we would have sought him out nonetheless. Over the years, he’s portrayed characters with a hint of darkness or edge, which made him perfect for this third Sonic film. The tone of the movie was going to provide us with something innovative and invigorating for this installment.

In your conversation, did you share that you had previously encountered the character through the 2005 video game?

It’s amazing! I can’t wait to share this with anyone who will listen. This opportunity is just unbelievable, something I never thought I’d experience 20 years ago. You know, my very first job in this industry was working on the Shadow the Hedgehog game and animating that character. Now, here I am, two decades later, overseeing his big-screen debut! It feels so surreal, like everything has come full circle.

Alyla Browne plays a significant role in Shadow’s life, and she landed the part before her outstanding portrayal of Young Furiosa in the movie “Furiosa” became widely recognized. Did you and your casting team catch any rumors about how exceptional she was in that role?

Absolutely, she has been part of two productions directed by George Miller [with Three Thousand Years of Longing in 2022 being one], and it’s clear that he found something special in her. We benefited greatly from his exceptional casting choices on these films, and we couldn’t have hoped for a more extraordinary actress to join us and bring such a vital character to life. Her role required the same challenge faced by all cast members – portraying a character that isn’t physically present. This demands both skill and creativity to create a convincing performance when there’s little or nothing to interact with on set. I was genuinely impressed by her remarkable talent at such a young age.

In our conversation, we’ve moved on to the part where we hear from Jim Carrey. He expressed thoughts about retiring when the second film was released, so I must admit, there was some concern as to whether he would rejoin us for this third installment.

I never bought that for a second. Jim has too much fun playing this character. If we dangled a really great new idea for him to play with and explore as Robotnik, then I felt that he would be interested in coming back. He’s such an incredible talent, and all it really takes is the opportunity to explore new territory, such as giving Robotnik a grandfather and telling a family story from the Robotnik side of things. The first two films have very much focused on giving Sonic family and friends, and Jim certainly did all kinds of interesting things with the character in both of those films. But Sonic 3 was a new opportunity to show what Ivo’s life would be like if suddenly he had a family.

Were you genuinely handing over a script written in gold ink to him two years ago, as per Carrey’s joke about his comeback requiring such a delivery?

I did, and it’s now worth about a hundred thousand dollars, so, hopefully, Jim has got it locked up somewhere. It was a great early conversation about exploring the Robotnik family tree and designing Gerald, the grandfather, from the ground up. Jim had a lot of fun working with Mark Coulier, our makeup designer, to create Gerald’s look. We would look at the sculpts together, and Jim would just have some little specific notes and ideas. As a director, I love that. I love when an actor is engaged and wants to help craft the character.

Is that why Jim is also credited as an “artistic consultant” on the film?

That would be my guess, yes. We didn’t want Gerald to feel like Jim Carrey with a gray mustache, a lab coat and a few wrinkles. We wanted it to feel like a unique character. There’s a family resemblance, but we needed to go further. Jim really loves disappearing into characters and taking advantage of great prosthetics. I remember standing across from him when we filmed the camera test, and that’s when everyone got their first look at what Mark had designed with the Gerald makeup. And it’s one thing for things to hold up on film. Everybody knows you can get away with a lot more on film; the camera can be very forgiving. But to literally be standing there and looking at Jim in this makeup where every detail was just so lovingly crafted, it was movie magic.

Directing Jim in a dual role, was that quite the puzzle to piece together? 

Indeed, that aligns perfectly. We all had our thoughts about the approach, but it needed to suit Jim’s style. We brainstormed numerous concepts and scenarios, and each movie scene demanded its unique touch – from how it should be filmed to the dynamics of the characters. To simplify this complex technical aspect for Jim, we searched for the perfect fit. We discovered Brendan Murphy, a talented British actor, who became Jim’s on-screen partner. During rehearsals and off days, they worked together meticulously to perfect each scene. Thus, having Brendan on board was truly invaluable as it presented such a significant technical and creative challenge. However, with Jim’s skill, it all seemed effortless.

In a few instances, Dr. Robotnik directly addresses the audience, and at one point, he acknowledges that the same actor portrays both versions of him. Was this the actor, Jim, playing his character at that moment? Or was he improvising, or making a humorous commentary?

Of course! Why not take advantage of a playful nod towards the spectators? Everyone found the concept delightful, and it’s an enjoyable moment indeed. Plus, recognizing the Jim Carrey-esque performance in that specific scene adds to the fun factor.

For the first time, he’s portraying a character for the third time in a movie, and this character happens to be Robotnik – a role he has taken on more frequently than both Lloyd Christmas and Ace Ventura.

It’s a truly remarkable experience not to underestimate the privilege of collaborating with a phenomenal talent such as Jim, having worked together on three films so far. Growing up, I was a massive admirer of his cinematic work, particularly those unforgettable early performances in “The Mask,” “Ace Ventura,” and “Dumb and Dumber.” Now, it’s simply fantastic to have him portray Robotnik, and the bond we share over this character is truly special.

In Sonic 2, Jim played a “leg guitar” version of Robotnik to Pantera’s “Walk.” Was the Green Lantern reference just another one of his casual nods?

Jim is exceptional in this regard. What I adore most about him is his ability to arrive on set brimming with concepts, yet he remains an excellent team player. We frequently discuss our ideas, and though not every idea ends up in the film, it’s a true gift to have someone generate so many ideas and be so dedicated to perfecting the scene or crafting the funniest possible joke.

Does the strong partnership between the Mission: Impossible series and Tom Cruise manage to overcome the hesitation studios often have when referencing other studios’ franchises?

(Laughs.) It seemed perfectly fitting. The contributions Tom has made for Paramount have been greatly valued by everyone on the Sonic team. Hence, the chance to make a nod towards Cruise presented itself, and we all agreed it would bring a lot of enjoyment.

Jim really grew his hair long just for that quick montage where Stone shaves Robotnik’s head? 

To put it simply, we didn’t plan to use Jim’s long hair in the movie initially, but when we realized that his unkempt look perfectly portrayed the downfall of Robotnik, we decided to utilize it. Jim had been growing his hair since the end of Sonic 2, and by the time he moved to the U.K. for principal photography prep, his hair was just right for our vision of a disheveled and despairing Robotnik. So, we styled his hair to be messy, unkempt, and unsightly, which contrasted greatly with the well-groomed Robotnik from the previous film. This new look serves as an effective visual cue for the audience about the character’s decline in this third movie.

The idea to shave the hair on camera was Jim’s, and it was genius. It put a lot of pressure on Lee Majdoub, who plays Agent Stone. Everyone really felt for him because you’re not getting more than one take of shaving somebody’s head. But Lee really handled it in stride and did a great job. It’s all on film.

I think Lee Majdoub is the low-key MVP of this movie.

Absolutely, we brought Lee on board for the first movie from Vancouver. He was a local hire, and he and Jim clicked right away, creating a fantastic dynamic. Jim had lots of ideas about developing their bond and making them the equivalent of Clouseau and Cato in the Sonic world. The duo then developed the physical comedy, with Lee always ready for anything. I recall standing on the Wachowski’s property during the filming of the first Sonic, when Jim asked Lee if he was okay with him putting his hand in his mouth. Everyone was taken aback, but Lee didn’t hesitate, replying that when a comedy icon like Jim Carrey asks, one simply says yes. This led to a hilarious moment in the scene. They’ve continued to come up with such moments throughout the films, and their partnership has proven quite fruitful.

Is it possible to clarify whether the recent drone activity in New Jersey isn’t part of a promotional campaign for Sonic 3, as it seems Robotnik is caring for his Flying Egg drones with an affection usually reserved for children?

(Chuckles.) I’m unable to verify or refute. If it is true, someone over at Paramount should get a substantial bonus. It’s simply extraordinary! And guess what? There’s this fascinating Sonic-and-Knuckles connection with the Detroit Lions. Their running backs, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, have decided to nickname each other Sonic and Knuckles. It seems like the stars are perfectly aligned for this third movie, and I consider myself lucky that there’s so much exciting material available.

I needed to inquire because Paramount, being the studio behind those eerie smiley faces seen during the Smile franchise’s baseball games, was involved.

Hey, with marketing, you’ve sometimes got to take some big swings to get people’s attention.

It was nice to see Krysten Ritter on the big screen again. How did her casting go down?

I’ve been an admirer of hers. With Jessica Jones, there’s undeniably a toughness about her that we wanted to incorporate. In this third film, if we were constructing G.U.N.’s organization, we felt it might be fitting to gradually shift the tone, making it less comedic and more grounded. We believed Krysten would excel in this role, and she certainly did. She delivered an outstanding performance.

Have the VFX noticeably improved since the first film? 

Indeed, after wrapping up each project, I, along with my trusted visual effects supervisor, Ged Wright, conduct a post-evaluation. We always aim to analyze our work while it’s still fresh in our minds, asking ourselves, “What can we enhance next time?” The recent experiences are still vivid in our thoughts, helping us plan for future improvements and new approaches. This introspective process has significantly contributed to the quality of our movies. Our visual effects team works like a well-oiled machine, their camaraderie and shared language enabling us to continually innovate. The scale of this third movie is unprecedented, with the visual effects being incredibly ambitious. Yet, the characters look stunning, especially Shadow, who has been eagerly anticipated by fans worldwide. We were acutely aware of the importance of portraying him flawlessly for our dedicated fanbase, and I am confident that they will be thrilled with the final result.

Would this film work effectively as the conclusion of a potential trilogy, given the right circumstances? However, it also hints at fresh storylines and characters suggested by the tags. If everything goes smoothly, would you consider creating another installment?

This sandbox, filled with over three decades of Sonic characters, never fails to excite as we unveil new ones at the end of each film. One aspect I eagerly anticipate is witnessing the audience’s reactions during opening weekends – the collective enthusiasm is simply electrifying! It’s a joyous conundrum to have such a rich library of characters that fans are so passionate about and yearn to see on the big screen. The story possibilities these characters present are truly captivating, much like they were in Sonic 2 when Shadow emerged from his cryotube. Our team is always eager to avoid repetition or remakes, and introducing fresh characters helps us explore new territories. At the moment, we’re concentrating on the release of this third movie, hoping for a warm reception. The future beyond that remains to be seen.

If given the opportunity, what other projects or ideas have you been longing to bring to life throughout the years?

Growing up, my fascination was ignited by visual effects and their transformative power in cinema, particularly evident in movies like ‘Star Wars’. Over the past 15 years of my career, I have been deeply immersed in this field, as it is a passion that runs deep within me. The Sonic films have afforded me the unique chance to collaborate with exceptional actors and engage in physical production, while still allowing me to delve into visual effects. This involves crafting character animations and digital performances alongside artists and animators from all corners of the globe. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience. As such, I am always on the lookout for films that can seamlessly blend these two realms, as they are the kind of projects that I feel best suited to produce.

In closing, is it fair to say that the positive reputation you built during the redesign of Sonic in the initial movie significantly contributes to your current discussions about the third Sonic film?

In every interview, I’m invariably asked about it, so I can’t help but affirm my enthusiasm for discussing that memorable event. Regardless of its toughness at the time, it fostered a unique bond with our audience and offered them a platform to be heard and recognized. Therefore, it remains an integral aspect of our narrative, regardless of how many films we produce in the future. This connection, along with the genuine exchange between our team and our fans, is something I would never alter if given the chance.

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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is now playing in movie theaters.

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2024-12-20 02:56