In summer 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment and SEGA SAMMY Group’s animation wing, Marza Animation Planet, announced a partnership to develop a film based on the iconic Sonic the Hedgehog video game franchise. Now, a new interview with SEGA CEO Hajime Satomi at Worldfolio (via io9) confirms that the project is not only still in the wings but on a fast-paced trajectory for a 2018 opening.
“Sega Sammy Group is currently planning with Sony Pictures to create a live-action and animation hybrid ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ movie scheduled for release in 2018,” Satomi confirmed. “Like with this CG animation production, we would like to expand our business into other entertainment areas beyond what we are currently involved.”
The film will look to capture Sonic’s irreverent tone and spirit, reuniting him with some of the most revered and infamous characters of the franchise, including the evil Dr. Eggman. Playful, mischievous, and quick on his feet in more ways than one, the world’s fastest hedgehog is known for his ability to move at supersonic speed to protect his friends from their enemies. For more than two decades, Sonic has been one of the world’s biggest gaming icons and a $1 billion franchise with more than 140 million games sold.
Sonic previously headline several animated series starting with 1993’s “Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog” as well as making an authorized cameo appearance in the Disney hit Wreck-It Ralph (see gallery below).
A hybrid CG-animated/live-action feature, the movie will be written by Evan Susser and Van Robichaux and produced by Neal H. Moritz through his Original Film banner, along with Marzas Takeshi Ito and Mie Onishi. Toby Ascher will serve as an executive producer.
