Update: Former Head of Sonic Team Reacts to Alleged Movie Leak
Update 3/5: Former head of Sonic Team and lead programmer of 1991’s Sonic the Hedgehog Yuji Naka has commented on the alleged leaked images of the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog film, and he appears to be less than impressed.
Naka reacted to the images on Twitter, and said (via translation) “When the unofficial image of the Sonic movie comes out, I think that it is leaking strategically, but it is not good because it will go to the IP of Sonic [as a video game] when it becomes a topic in a bad direction.”
He also noted that it’s strange Sonic’s hands are made of white fur, saying “It is shocking that his bare hands are white.” In a separate tweet, he noted that it’s important for designers to look at Sonic’s body as a whole, and that these alleged images could use some more balance.
It’s worth mentioning that while Naka has been involved with Sonic for quite some time, he wasn’t Sonic’s original designer – that honor goes to Naoto Ohshima.
The original story follows.
Alleged images of the CGI Sonic the Hedgehog model used in the upcoming film have leaked, and the internet definitely has some thoughts on the matter.
Originally posted by the design agency Hamagami / Carroll, Inc., the images have since been taken down but have been shared elsewhere, including by Twitter user Wario64. The images come from a supposed style guide for the film’s merchandising campaign, noting that Sonic’s “Brand Personality” should be “Irreverent and sarcastic, heroic and adventurous, confident and competitive, chill and likable [and] mischievous but not malicious.”
IGN has reached out to Paramount Pictures for comment.
If the images are legitimate, they give us our closest look yet at what we can expect Sonic to look like in the upcoming film – bizarre lack of gloves and all. Of course, the internet has reacted to the images immediately, drawing comparisons to the much-maligned Genie design from the upcoming Aladdin film, Sonic’s previous design in a Progressive insurance commercial, and more. And, because it’s the internet, parodies of the design have already started making the rounds.
For more on Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie, check out the first silhouetted look we got at this version of the Blue Blur back in December and how it compares to past iterations of the character.
Genesis, 1991
An early SEGA advertising campaign stressed that Genesis did what \u0022Nintendon\u0027t,\u0022 but no amount of \u0022blast processing\u0022 could hide the fact that collecting rings, busting blocks and running from left to right were moves straight out of Mario\u0027s playbook. What set Sonic apart? Certainly speed, but back in 1991 \u0022attitude\u0022 (or \u0027tude, for you 90s enthusiasts), went a long way, and Sonic had it in spades.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic1-1544517278563.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic1-1544517278563_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:”01″,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic the Hedgehog
Game Gear, 1991
Were you still squinting at black and white games on your Game Boy in 1991? Well, you could have been playing Sonic The Hedgehog, in color, on the Game Gear. Sonic\u0027s first handheld appearance was a technological marvel; a voracious, battery-devouring marvel.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic2-1544517393783.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic2-1544517393783_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:”02″,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Genesis, 1992
Sonic\u0027s big follow-up marked the debut of the unlockable Super Sonic, an even more \u0022extreme\u0022 version of Sonic that appeared in many subsequent games. To play as Super Sonic, you could either collect all the Chaos emeralds and beat the game or be a cheating cheato and use the 1344\u0022 >level select menu.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic3-1544517492047.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic3-1544517492047_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:”03″,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic CD
Sega CD, 1993
One of the best 2D sidecrollers in Sonic history, Sonic CD was much more faithful to the original Genesis game than Sonic 2. In addition to the awesome CD quality music and anime intro, Sonic CD was also 100% Tails free.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic4-1544518116635.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic4-1544518116635_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:”04″,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic Spinball
Genesis, 1993
Where were you on \u0022Sonic Mania Day\u0022 (November 19, 1993)? You should have been buying Sonic CD, one of three Sonic games that launched that day in North America. But if you ended up with Sonic\u0027s first spinoff, a rushed pinball-like game for Genesis called Sonic Spinball, we\u0027re sorry!”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic13-1544518319671.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic13-1544518319671_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:”05″,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog
1993
It was a time where Mario, Zelda, and yes, Sonic, were getting TV show adaptions for your Saturday morning enjoyment. The show only aired during the final few months of 1993 but released a total of 65 episodes, not including the Christmas special that aired in 1996.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic33-1544637693863.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic33-1544637693863_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:”06″,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic the Hedgehog (TV series)
1993-1994
While the Adventures of Sonic TV show was airing in 1993, a separate but very similar Sonic TV show also premiered at the same time. Although the series went on until 1994, it featured fewer episodes with a total of 26.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic34-1544637693863.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic34-1544637693863_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:”07″,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Genesis, 1994
The third main Sonic game brought Knuckles into the fray and included a competitive mode for two players. Different claims suggest Michael Jackson went intentionally uncredited for some of his work on the soundtrack. Crazy, right?”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic20-1544637693837.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic20-1544637693837_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:”08″,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic & Knuckles
Genesis, 1994
Sonic graced the Genesis one more time with Sonic & Knuckles, a game developed alongside Sonic 3 that was originally intended to be the same game. Featured \u0022lock-on technology\u0022 that allowed the Sonic 3 cartridge to be inserted into the Sonic & Knuckles cartridge where both games combined to form Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Neat!”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic21-1544637693852.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic21-1544637693852_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:”09″,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic Drift
Game Gear, 1994
The original Sonic racer and on an 8-bit handheld too. It tried to match the success of Super Mario Kart but its simple level design and minimal options made it just okay. But hey, it got a sequel with Sonic Drift 2 just a year later.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic27-1544637693857.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic27-1544637693857_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:10,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic the Fighters
Arcade, 1996
This obscure Sonic the Hedgehog fighting game only saw wide release in North America as part of the Sonic Gems Collection (GameCube, PlayStation 2) nearly a decade after its release in arcades. It\u0027s notable for rendering Sonic in 3 dimensions years before the Dreamcast\u0027s Sonic Adventure — and on the same system that ran Virtua Fighter 2 and The House of the Dead!”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic5-1544518116638.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic5-1544518116638_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:11,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic 3D Blast
Genesis \/ Saturn, 1996
The awesome-looking Sonic X-Treme was cancelled, leaving Saturn-owning Sonic fans the pre-rendered monstrosity that was Sonic 3D Blast. Also appearing on the Genesis, SEGA\u0027s isometric answer to Donkey Kong Country was neither 3D nor a blast.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic6-1544518116640.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic6-1544518116640_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:12,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic the Hedgehog (OVA)
1996
A Japanese OVA series that ran for a total of two episodes. This one is set in the world of Planet Freedom and tasks Sonic with saving the president and his daughter. It\u0027s often referenced as \u0022Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie,\u0022 or at least that is what\u0027s printed on the case of the VHS.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic38-1544637693867.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic38-1544637693867_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:13,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic R
Saturn \/ PC, 1997
The only original Sonic game on the Saturn and a proper Sonic racer where the karts are ditched and the focus is put back on the speed of the ten playable characters. \u266a \u0022Everybody\u0027s Super Sonic racing, try to keep your feet right on the ground!\u0022 \u266a”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic28-1544637693858.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic28-1544637693858_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:14,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic Adventure
Dreamcast, 1999
Sonic Adventure launched with SEGA\u0027s ill-fated Dreamcast, but in the system\u0027s short life it became its best-selling game thanks to awesome next-gen looks and the fact that it starred Sonic. The hedgehog finally got a decent 3D makeover — but he also got a voice, and it was kind of annoying.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic7-1544518116641.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic7-1544518116641_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:15,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic Underground
1999
You thought that was it for Sonic TV shows? Think again! This is a special one because it removes itself from the known Sonic canon and gives Sonic a brother and a sister. Also, they\u0027re royalty. A total of 40 episodes aired throughout 1999.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic35-1544637693865.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic35-1544637693865_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:16,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic Shuffle
Dreamcast, 2000
Sonic\u0027s lesser-known Dreamcast title may be dismissed as a bad Mario Party knockoff — which it is — but the game\u0027s Jet Grind Radio-esque cell-shaded style was actually a great fit for Sonic and friends.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic8-1544518116642.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic8-1544518116642_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:17,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic Advance
Game Boy Advance, 2002
Without a console or handheld on the market, SEGA finally did exactly what \u0027Ninten-did,\u0027 and made a Sonic the Hedgehog game for the Game Boy Advance. Many Sonic fans felt conflicted about the hedgehog\u0027s new multiplatform lifestyle, but Sonic Advance was the most traditional Sonic game in a decade and it restored faith in both SEGA and Sonic.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic9-1544518116642.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/11\/sonic9-1544518116642_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:18,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic Battle
Game Boy Advance, 2003
Well, this is different. Sonic and friends are thrown into a battle arena to fight and beat up baddies, complete with different moves and lives. It\u0027s an odd addition to the series but one that many fans remember fondly.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic30-1544637693859.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic30-1544637693859_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:19,”albumTotalCount”:37},{“caption”:”Sonic X
2003-2006
This TV show brings Sonic to Earth where he befriends a boy named Chris during his search to return home. Doctor Robotnik gets involved, aliens become a threat, and there\u0027s a president that plays a role. 78 episodes aired across two seasons.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic36-1544637693865.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/12\/12\/sonic36-1544637693865_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Sonic the Hedgehog: A Visual History of SEGA\u0027s Mascot”,”relativePosition”:20,”albumTotalCount”:37}]’
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Colin Stevens is a news writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.