Director Jeff Fowler thanked fans for "the support... and the criticism"
When the first trailer for the new 'Sonic the Hedgehog' film dropped earlier this week, the backlash was so ferocious that it took even director Jeff Fowler by surprise.
Fans of the video game and its small, spiky blue protagonist were so outraged that they took it upon themselves to redesign the character by way of not-so-subtle suggestion that it could be better.
Now, Fowler has announced on Twitter that he has taken the criticism on board and that changes will be made.
Thank you for the support. And the criticism. The message is loud and clear... you aren't happy with the design & you want changes. It's going to happen. Everyone at Paramount & Sega are fully committed to making this character the BEST he can be... #sonicmovie #gottafixfast 🔧✌️
— Jeff Fowler (@fowltown) May 2, 2019
People seem pretty flabbergasted - not to mention a tad suspicious - that their feedback has been taken on board...
So after this week's complaints, the filmmakers are actually going back into production and fixing the look of Sonic. That's entirely unprecedented, no? Also, why didn't we have this level of power when Elm Street was remade?!
— John Squires 🎃 (@FreddyInSpace) May 2, 2019
Man, there are a lot of implications to changing Sonic at this point. The movie opens in November - no doubt the merch is already well underway. This is the title character! How much will they need to change?
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) May 2, 2019
I love how hating on the Sonic trailer is more popular than the movie ever would have been if they had done exactly what "fans" claim to have hoped for. Makes me wonder if this is evil marketing geniustry.
— Sharky Laguana (@Sharkyl) May 2, 2019
Despite not being particularly fond of Sonic’s design, I’m not sure how I feel about this...
It’s ok for me to just... not like something, honestly? I wouldn’t go and demand a design to change just because it’s not what I enjoy.
This is kind of a wild ride. https://t.co/xNRkJWar43— Jennifer Scheurle (@Gaohmee) May 2, 2019