Fans of the iconic video game franchise Sonic the Hedgehog were outraged back at the start of May when Paramount Pictures unveiled the first trailer for the upcoming live-action feature film adaptation, with the filmmakers’ interpretation of the iconic Sega mascot coming under heavy fire for straying too far from the traditional Sonic look.
As a result of the outcry, the producers announced that they would be delaying the release of the movie in order to overhaul Sonic’s look to a more faithful design – a decision which Jim Carrey (who is playing Sonic’s arch-nemesis Dr. Robotnik) doesn’t seem to be overly enthused about.
“It’s an interesting thing,” said Carrey (via EW). “You just become their Frankenstein monster at some point, right? But I don’t know. I don’t know quite how I feel about the audience being in on the creation of it while it’s happening. So we’ll have to see what that entails, because sometimes you find that the collective consciousness decides it wants something, and then when it gets it, it goes, ‘Okay. I just wanted it. I didn’t care about it. I just jumped on the bandwagon,’ or whatever. But I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
“I don’t really concern myself with things once I did my thing,” he continued. “I’m not super concerned about it. It’s going to happen how it happens. It’s either going to be a good thing or a bad thing. All I know is, just like everything else in our world, we’re feeling out of control of the process. We do what we can do, and then technology is going to have its way, and people’s opinions are going to have their way. And who knows what that’s going to turn into? I believe in auteurs, and I believe in creatives. I believe in having them do it. As far as something like a Sonic character, that’s something people have a sense of ownership from their childhood. So, of course, they’re going to get involved if they can. We’ll see if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
SEE ALSO: Sonic the Hedgehog movie producer thinks fans will be “pleased” by the redesign
What are your thoughts on this situation? Can do see Carrey’s point, or are you glad the filmmakers are listening to the fans? Let us know in the comments below or on our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG is a live-action adventure comedy based on the global blockbuster video game franchise from Sega that centres on the infamously brash bright blue hedgehog. The film follows the (mis)adventures of Sonic as he navigates the complexities of life on Earth with his newfound – human – best friend Tom Wachowski (James Marsden). Sonic and Tom join forces to try and stop the villainous Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) from capturing Sonic and using his immense powers for world domination. The film also stars Tika Sumpter and Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic.
Sonic the Hedgehog is directed by Jeff Fowler (Gopher Broke) and features a cast that includes Ben Schwartz (House of Lies), James Marsden (Westworld), Jim Carrey (Kidding), Adam Pally (Happy Endings), Tika Sumpter (Ride Along), Neal McDonough (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow) and Natasha Rothwell (Love, Simon).
Originally published August 4, 2019. Updated August 5, 2019.
