In the absence of 'Unappealing Sonic', the Sonic film series wouldn't exist.
The visage that sparked numerous internet sensations and eventually led to Sonic's appearance alteration in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, transitioned from something Paramount Pictures might want to forget to a significant milestone in the franchise's narrative history. This transformation is all thanks to the devotion of Sonic's Sega video game enthusiasts, who recognized that the portrayed character, later referred to as "Ugly Sonic," was not their preferred Sonic.
During a sit-down with The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the voice actor behind Sonic, Ben Schwartz, discussed his newfound acceptance of Ugly Sonic: "Perhaps sometimes, you need a nudge to really examine yourself in the mirror and to hear the fans' feedback, ultimately leading to self-adjustments. And we did."
The film's unnerving depiction of Sonic, characterized by its teeth, eyes, and overall chilling appearance, elicited collective gasps of terror from Sonic fans and casual moviegoers alike. Fortunately, the studio and creative team swiftly rectified the issue, transforming the icon into his authentic form. "Can you imagine a film that truly listens to the fans and the studio spends money and time on modifications, believing it would enhance the film? I can't recall such an incident, if it ever occurred," Schwartz noted.
Yet, Ugly Sonic never truly phased out.
The memes continue, and audiences experience tremors of fear in social discourse whenever a beloved character is transformed into live-action, reminiscent of Ugly Sonic PTSD. For instance, One Piece fans are hoping that Netflix refrains from assigning an Ugly Sonic-esque makeover to live-action Tony Tony Chopper in season two. Gratefully, How to Train Your Dragon's Toothless and Lilo & Stitch's Stitch have preserved their original adorableness in their upcoming live-action showcases, serving as a reminder of Ugly Sonic's warning: "If it isn't broken, don't fix it."
Ugly Sonic's impact extended into Disney's 2022 hybrid film, Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers, where he made an appearance as a supporting character. More recently, Ugly Sonic has been proudly displayed in a festive sweater, officially released by Paramount Pictures as a giveaway. At the Sonic 3 premiere, director Jeff Fowler acknowledged Ugly Sonic's role in the film's triumph: "From the ashes of Ugly Sonic arose this magnificent trilogy of films, like a phoenix. It was a necessary sacrifice but yes, thank you, Ugly Sonic, for the memories."
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 hits theaters this coming Friday.
For further io9 news, keep an eye on the release dates of the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek, the future of the DC Universe, and everything you need to know about the evolution of Doctor Who.
Io9's tech section could explore the role of social media in influencing movie studio decisions, highlighting the impact of fan backlash on the Sonic movie's character design. Furthermore, as the movie industry increasingly turns to live-action adaptations of beloved animated characters, Io9 might discuss the importance of preserving original aesthetics to prevent another Ugly Sonic scenario.
