It’s happening! Sony Pictures have signed on to create a Sonic the Hedgehog movie. Written by Evan Susser, Van Robichaux, produced by Neal Moritz (21 Jump Street, Jack the Giant Slayer and much more) and animated by Marza Animation Planet (a division of SEGA Sammy), the Sonic feature is confirmed to be a CG/live action hybrid much like Sony’s “The Smurfs” franchise, and will star not just Sonic but other members of the the cast such as our very own Dr. Eggman. Apparently, this initial movie will be the first of a franchise of films which will release yearly. That’s right – a Sonic film every year.
No word yet on a release date, but executive producer and Marza CEO Masanao Maeda says the movie “…will bring a fresh take to Sonic, while still capturing everything that the fans love about him”. Check out the original article below:
Sony and producer Neal Moritz are bringing the best-selling Sega video game Sonic the Hedgehog to the big screen.
The studio is teaming with Marza Animation Planet, a CG animation film-production company based in Japan and a division of the Sega Sammy Group, to make a hybrid CG-animated/live-action feature.
Upright Citizens Brigade alums Evan Susser and Van Robichaux are writing the screenplay, which will follow the antics of Sonic, the world’s fastest hedgehog. The film will also feature some of the franchise’s favorite characters including the evil Dr. Eggman.
Sony-based Moritz (22 Jump Street) is producing through his Original Film banner alongside Marza’s Takeshi Ito and Mie Onishi. Toby Ascher is executive producing.
For more than two decades, the billion-dollar Sonic franchise has been one of the world’s biggest gaming phenomena, with more than 140 million games sold.
“There are limitless stories to tell with a character like Sonic the Hedgehog and a built-in international fan base,” Columbia Pictures president of production Hannah Minghella said. “Along with our wonderful creative partners at Marza, we’re looking to capture everything that generations of fans know and love about Sonic while also growing his audience wider than ever before.”
Added Marza CEO Masanao Maeda: “Sonic has had dozens of adventures on the console and the small screen, and we’re thrilled that he’s now coming to the big screen. Sony Pictures has had great success with hybrid animated and live-action features, and we’re confident that this collaboration will bring a fresh take to Sonic, while still capturing everything that the fans love about him.”
Sony’s hybrid animated/live-action Smurfs has spawned two films to date.
Moritz is the producer behind the Fast & Furious franchise. He has a Goosebumps adaptation coming up for Sony on Aug. 7, 2015, starring Jack Black.
Minghella and Andrea Giannetti will oversee the Sonic project for the studio.
Are you looking forward to the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below. We at TSS will keep you updated on any new developments, as always!
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline
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