Unlike the likes of Ubisoft (which now has its own film department) and Nintendo (notoriously protective of its IP since 1993’s Super Mario Bros.), fellow video game giant SEGA is taking a much more hands off approach with regards to Hollywood adaptations of its various properties, including Paramount’s upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie.
Speaking to GamesIndustry, Sega Europe COO and president Gary Dale has explained why the company isn’t involving itself with Sonic, stating that: “I think there’s a view here that we’re very good at making video games and Paramount is very good at making pictures… This is a film. I think the idea that you try to control Paramount would be the wrong approach… Over the years, I look at the success of game franchises in film and it’s very mixed. The idea that games makers can control the process and create great movies… I don’t know if that’s true or not.”
One thing Paramount did drop the ball on was the design of Sonic, with the studio opting to push back the movie and retool the Sega mascot’s look after an enormous fan backlash to the initial marketing material – something which Dale believes the producers deserve credit for:
“To be fair, Paramount has been open to listening to feedback from the community around Sonic, which of course has got such a tremendously loyal fanbase with people with very specific views of who Sonic is, how Sonic should behave, how Sonic should look. And I think Paramount has taken a lot of that on board.”
SEE ALSO: Jim Carrey speaks out on backlash to Sonic the Hedgehog movie design
What are your thoughts on the Sonic movie? Do you still think it can be a success, or will it be the next to suffer the video game movie curse? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @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).
