The video game curse seems to have lifted in recent years. For what seemed like decades before, movie studios, for years, could not get a decent live-action video game adaptation to the screen. Sure, there were dozens of them, but they had a reputation for being awful. Now that the hump seems to be overcome—not to mention studios making quality films out of seemingly unadaptable material like “The LEGO Movie” and “Barbie”— the successful “Sonic The Hedgehog” franchise returns with its third installment.

Continue reading ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 3’ Trailer: Shadow Joins The Video Game Adaptation Coming In December at The Playlist.

Given its wobbly beginnings, it’s wild to see how far Paramount’s “Sonic The Hedgehog” franchise has come. Based on the popular SEGA video game from the ’90s, the series seemed dead on arrival— or even before arrival. When the film’s first trailer arrived in the spring of 2019, the reaction on social media was so dire and scathing that the movie’s creators returned to the drawing board and redesigned the entire character from whole cloth.

Continue reading ‘Sonic 3’: Keanu Reeves To Voice Shadow In Upcoming Sequel at The Playlist.

It’s fascinating to watch certain eras of TV and filmmaking arrive when those eras are essentially over. And by that, I mean you’ll remember during the pandemic, to keep investors happy and to show them, “Don’t worry, no theaters won’t stop us from releasing content,” every studio under the sun greenlit a ton of spin-offs of their biggest brands. Basically, this era was a great time for content creators because studios were ravenous for content.

Continue reading ‘Knuckles’ Trailer: Paramount’s ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ Spin-Off Series With Idris Elba Hits In April at The Playlist.

When the first trailer for “Sonic The Hedgehog” dropped online, it wasn’t apparent that the film would end up being a smashing success as the beloved video game character’s bizarre design led fans to ask the studio to “fix” the look of Sonic to a more traditional version and, surprisingly, it happened. Thanks to Paramount taking that advice and putting together an audience-pleasing pic, the two installments have earned them a combined $721.5 million at the global box office. 

Continue reading ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 3’ Going Head-To-Head With ‘Avatar 3’ In 2024 at The Playlist.

Ben Schwartz is one of the funniest people working in Hollywood today. And after years of guest-starring in various shows and providing more than a decade of voice-over work, the actor is finally getting his due in recent years thanks to the insanely popular “Sonic the Hedgehog” film franchise and a starring role in the recent Apple TV+ series, “The Afterparty.” And in this episode of The Playlist Podcast, Schwartz talks about those projects and much more. 

Continue reading Ben Schwartz Talks About Keeping Secrets For ‘The Afterparty,’ A “Bananas” ‘Sonic 3’ & More [The Playlist Podcast] at The Playlist.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but “Sonic The Hedgehog 2” really cannot be the swan song for the great Jim Carrey. One of the great comedic careers of recent years cannot end on such a whimper. The star is, of course, free to pursue what makes him happiest, as he’s indicated on the film’s press tour. But it would be a real shame to cap off with a work that so thoroughly misunderstands his unique gift for bodily humor.

Continue reading ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 2’ Review: This Speedy Sequel Zooms Past What Makes The Series Special at The Playlist.

British actor Idris Elba is having a bit of a moment after the release of James Gunn‘s “The Suicide Squad” as his character Bloodsport is one of the highlights of the new DC Comics characters in the well-received R-rated sequel.

READ MORE: The Suicide Squad’: James Gunn Inspires The DC Universe With Gnarly Irreverence, Superhero Subversion & A Big Beating Heart [Review]

Well, Elba has landed another key role in another fan-driven studio sequel, as he announced on Twitter that he’ll voice the CGI-animated character Knuckles (A red anthropomorphic short-beaked echidna) in Paramount Pictures‘ kid-friendly “Sonic The Hedgehog 2,” which is currently in post-production after filming in Vancouver.

Continue reading ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 2’: Idris Elba Announces He’ll Voice Knuckles at The Playlist.

After what might go down as one of the most embarrassing marketing blunders in recent memory, with a trailer that was universally ridiculed by moviegoers, Paramount was able to recalibrate and strike box office gold when “Sonic the Hedgehog” was released in theaters earlier this year. And now, hot off the great theatrical run and solid home video release, it appears the studio is ready to get the blue CGI creation back on the big screen ASAP.

Continue reading Paramount Bringing Back ‘Sonic’ Writers & Director For A Sequel at The Playlist.

As much as you might dislike his films, especially those that were released post-2000, there’s no way you can hate Adam Sandler as a person. Not only is he a great actor (I mean, just watch “Uncut Gems” for recent proof), but he’s also just living his best life, as the kids say. He gets paid an ungodly amount of money to make movies with his best friends in exotic locales and is able to keep his family close the whole time.

Continue reading Adam Sandler Loved ‘Sonic’ So Much He Called Jim Carrey During The Screening at The Playlist.

In a tight race, it appears that the blue hedgehog outran a CGI dog for the box office crown this weekend, as “Sonic the Hedgehog” repeats as #1 ahead of “The Call of the Wild.”

Coming into this weekend, many were expecting last weekend’s champ, ‘Sonic,’ to easily run away from the new competition this frame and take home the #1 spot. With films like “Call of the Wild” (with its lackluster marketing) and “Brahms: The Boy II” (the sequel no one asked for) debuting, it was assumed that the blue hedgehog would dominate once again.

Continue reading ‘Sonic’ Outruns ‘Call Of The Wild’ & A Creepy Doll For Another Box Office Win at The Playlist.

Six months ago, the idea that “Sonic the Hedgehog” would have not only scored decent reviews but also would go on to have the biggest box office debut ever for a video game adaptation would have been laughable. But yet, here we are, halfway through February, and the blue hedgehog has shocked the world, in more ways than one.

Debuting in the #1 spot this President’s Day weekend, “Sonic the Hedgehog” not only turned in a record-breaking three-day total of $58 million at the box office but actually earned a shocking $70 million after the extended four-day holiday frame.

Continue reading ‘Sonic’ Speeds Past Records With $70M Weekend & ‘Parasite’ Gets A Generous Post-Oscars Box Office Bump at The Playlist.

A kinetic, electrically-paced buddy comedy starring a lighting fast, motormouth-talking anthropomorphic hedgehog (Ben Schwartz), and a zany Jim Carrey that began its life with a debilitating, life-threatening narrative—CGI so poor and unlike the video game whence it came that the entire character was reanimated again due to a public backlash— “Sonic the Hedgehog” has every right to be a full-on disaster. Instead, and seemingly against all impossible odds— in spite of having to go back to the drawing board to recreate a new look for the animated character— ‘Sonic’ is one of the first video game movies worth watching.

Continue reading ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ Races To Victory Fueled By Big Jim Carrey Energy & The Power Of Friendship [Review] at The Playlist.

The 2020 Sundance Film Festival has come to a close, the upcoming Oscars are either going to leave us uniformly happy (if “Parasite” wins and makes history) or enrage us (please, no surprise “Joker” Best Picture win), and then we’ll have a mild break before the Berlin Film Festival and SXSW adds to our “must-see” lists. It’s nice to take the very brief down period amidst the Oscar buzz and such to either play catch up or to see films that might not normally be on your immediate list—especially in a month like February, where there are more than usual offerings for films directed by women, ones that range the spectrum from superhero fare to romance and thrillers. 

Continue reading 9 Films To Watch In February: ‘Birds Of Prey,’ ‘Portrait Of A Lady,’ ‘Invisible Man’ & More at The Playlist.

One week ago, fans of “Sonic the Hedgehog” were greeted by another new trailer for the upcoming film. And unlike the trailer that was released months before, those who watched the new footage seemed to really like what Paramount had done for the look of the character. You know, after the studio spent an additional four months completely overhauling the design, delaying the film in the process.

Now, with the film on track, a new report surfaced that wants fans to know that the entirely new look of Sonic in the upcoming film didn’t actually break the bank, as has been previously speculated.

Continue reading Paramount’s Delay Of ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ To Completely Redesign The Lead Character Cost Far Less Than You Might Expect at The Playlist.

As we approach the end of 2019, it’s good to look back at the year’s most interesting, and perhaps embarrassing, news stories in the world of film. And without a doubt, the release of the first “Sonic the Hedgehog” trailer fits in that category. However, months later, Paramount returns with a second trailer and we’re sure the executives are hoping fans don’t universally destroy this one.

Back in April, fans revolted in a way that no one in the film industry has previously seen, as they tore apart the first “Sonic the Hedgehog” trailer.

Continue reading Sonic The Hedgehog’ Trailer: The Character Gets A New Look & Paramount Hopes Fans Don’t Hate It This Time at The Playlist.

In the realm of monumental film industry marketing faux pas, it’s hard to think of something recently that rivals Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog” trailer unveiling.

After fan anticipation was seemingly through the roof, people began to be concerned when leaked images showed a hyper-realistic blue hedgehog character that didn’t resemble the video game counterpart in the least. And then, when the trailer hit earlier this year, fans went nuts and were slamming the film all over social media.

Continue reading ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ Producer Tim Miller Says “Fans Will Be Pleased” With New Character Design at The Playlist.

The internet, and social media, specifically, is a powerful thing. Just by voicing your opinion, with enough supporters, you can make global change. Well, that is if you’re fans of Sonic the Hedgehog and you absolutely despise the way he looks in the first trailer for his live-action film.

It was only a few short weeks ago that the collective mind of the internet revolted against the trailer for Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog” live-action/CGI hybrid film.

Continue reading ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ Director Confirms Film Will Be Delayed Until 2020 To “Make Sonic Just Right” at The Playlist.

It truly is all about the good, the bad, and the ugly on this week’s episode of The Playlist Podcast.

READ MORE: ‘Long Shot’: Charlize Theron & Seth Rogen Blow The Roof Off In A Terrific, Hilarious & Sincere Romantic Comedy [Review]

On this episode, I’m joined by Playlist writer, video contributor, and Men vs. Movies co-host Griffin Schiller to discuss “Long Shot,” the political romantic comedy from Jonathan Levine, starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen.

Continue reading The Loveliness Of ‘Long Shot,’ The ‘Sonic Hedgehog’ Horror & Joe Carnahan’s Twitter Fiasco [Podcast] at The Playlist.

Social media is a powerful tool. Obviously, the medium is great for keeping up with friends and family (or sharing pictures of your latest meal), but it’s also a way for large groups of people to give critiques in a way that celebrities and Hollywood, in general, can track. And when a large fanbase lets a studio know they are not pleased with the direction of a franchise, sometimes that studio will listen. Apparently, Paramount is one of those studios, and “Sonic the Hedgehog” is one of those franchises.

Continue reading ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ Director Admits Defeat & Promises To Change The Design Of The Character Before Film’s Release at The Playlist.

Last year, we knew, based only on the fan reaction to the poster, that Paramount’s upcoming “Sonic the Hedgehog” film is going to be…interesting. Of course, we should have known right away, considering the live-action film is based on a video game about a bright blue hedgehog that can run at super speeds and is fighting a villain named Dr. Robotnik. But we really didn’t have any clue just how strange ‘Sonic’ truly is.

Continue reading ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ Trailer: Jim Carrey Is Dialed Up To 11 In This Truly Odd Video Game Adaptation at The Playlist.

In a year that sees the Marvel Cinematic Universe turn the page on its massive 22-film story, Lucasfilm releases the final “Star Wars” film in the “Skywalker Saga,” Disney hits peak remake territory with a new “Lion King,” and Martin Scorsese finally releases his latest crime epic, perhaps the one film that could overshadow them all in sheer curiosity is the upcoming live-action “Sonic the Hedgehog.”

And as reported from yesterday’s panel at CinemaCon (via Deadline), the film, which sees the bright blue hedgehog team up with a human police officer to stop the evil Dr.

Continue reading Jim Carrey Calls Dr. Robotnik The Real Star Of Live-Action ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ Film at The Playlist.

You would think that a live-action/CGI hybrid adaptation of a video game featuring a bright blue hedgehog that teams with a local sheriff to stop an evil villain named Dr, Robotnik (played by Jim Carrey) would have plenty of questions and concerns. But alas, this is 2018 and when the first official poster for the upcoming “Sonic the Hedgehog” film came out, all people could talk about are the titular character’s legs.

Continue reading Paramount Trolls Leg-Obsessed Fans With Latest ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ Teaser Image at The Playlist.

Look, there’s no way of knowing if the upcoming “Sonic the Hedgehog” live-action/CGI hybrid film will be any good and/or make a ton of money at the box office. Video game adaptations, by and large, have been complete and utter garbage, and there’s nothing about ‘Sonic’ that screams success. But according to some leaked documents, Paramount was originally hoping to stack the deck with some A-list actors to ensure the film’s success.

Continue reading Chris Pratt, Chris Evans & Tom Holland Reportedly Among List Of Actors Originally Sought After For ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ at The Playlist.

There's Going To Be A 'Sonic The Hedgehog' Movie Franchise Now

Continue reading There’s Going To Be A ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ Movie Franchise Now at The Playlist.