Skip to main content

Sonic the Hedgehog finally looks like himself in redesign for new movie

Sonic The Hedgehog (2020) - New Official Trailer - Paramount Pictures

When Paramount released its first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog earlier this year, fans of the game franchise were not thrilled with the protagonist’s character design. In fact, they were downright horrified by a monstrosity with human teeth and eyes, long legs, and little resemblance to the hero they knew. Now, a redesigned version has appeared in a new trailer, and he’s looking a lot better.

Opening with a shot of the Green Hill Zone made famous in the game series, the latest Sonic the Hedgehog trailer immediately shows off Sonic’s new appearance, with a zoomed in shot of his eyes. Though there is still a slightly bit of fur separating his eyes, they almost form into the one giant oval fans recognize, and the irises have a taller shape that is more cartoony. His mouth has been colored a darker shade that better fits his blue fur, as well, and the human teeth have also been removed.

Sonic’s legs also appear to be shorter and slightly thicker, and while we never want to write those words again, it does put him more in proportion and fits his appearance from the games.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

What hasn’t changed — for better or worse — is the film’s slapstick humor and over-the-top performances. Sonic is capable of playing himself in baseball, in case you were curious, and can visit a rubber band ball exhibit without stopping the car he’s riding in. Ben Schwartz seems to be having a great time voicing the Blue Blur, and Jim Carrey appears to have chugged a few shots of espresso before his scenes as Dr. Robotnik.

Sonic the Hedgehog has seen some rough times recently, with recent games like Sonic Forces and Team Sonic Racing releasing to mediocre reviews, but there have still been bright spots for Sega’s long-running (literally) mascot. Sonic Mania was an excellent throwback to the series’ original games, proving that classic 2D platforming still has a place in modern gaming.

Sonic the Hedgehog releases in theaters on February 14. Yes, you will be able to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Sonic, though we’re not sure boxed chocolates are safe for hedgehogs.

Editors' Recommendations

Gabe Gurwin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
Sonic Frontiers gameplay footage shows off Sonic’s new moves
sonic frontiers gameplay revealed teaser trailer

Sega seems to be kicking off Summer Games Fest pretty early by giving us a first look at the gameplay for its highly anticipated Sonic game, Sonic Frontiers.

Sega tweeted the latest teaser trailer as an IGN First exclusive on Tuesday, and it shows Sonic sprinting through the lush fields of Starfall Island, running on a cybernetic hamster wheel to send some sort of signal, grinding rails around skyscraper ruins, and kicking enemies around like Deku in My Hero Academia. Alongside the gameplay, we also get a look at the new Sonic Frontiers logo, which sports a blue eye for the "o" in the fragmented latter word.

Read more
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 to stream on Paramount+ May 24
A still of Sonic hanging onto a flying plane in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

The Blue Blur is coming to the small screen faster than the speed of sound once again. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will begin streaming on Paramount+ on May 24.

SEGAbits, a niche news site that covers Sonic and other Sega game franchises such as Yakuza, Jet Set Radio, and Streets of Rage, confirmed the streaming release date for Sonic 2 in a tweet Wednesday. This news corroborates Paramount Pictures' announcement last year that the film would be released on the streaming service -- which had just debuted at the time -- 45 days after the start of its theatrical run.

Read more
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is highest-grossing game-based movie ever
Sonic gets ready to battle in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Paramount is having a Sonic boom in movie theaters. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has become the highest-grossing video game-based film of all time, breaking the previous record held by the first Sonic movie in 2020.

As reported by Deadline (and spotted by Tails' Channel), Sonic 2 has sped close to the $300 million mark at the global box office with $288 million. To put that number in perspective, the film raked in a domestic gross of $146,258,543, surpassing Sonic 1 by $192,073. Elsewhere, it made $26.3 million in the UK, $15.7 million in Mexico, $14.3 million in France, $13.1 million in Australia, and $8.9 million in Brazil.

Read more