Jeff Fowler has been synonymous with the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise since his childhood days playing the video game series. The director’s affinity for the blue blur led him to work on “Shadow the Hedgehog” (2005), a third-person shooter spinoff that explored the darker side of the hedgehog world.
Fowler’s experience working on “Shadow” laid the groundwork for his involvement in the 2020 film “Sonic the Hedgehog,” which marked the big-screen debut of Sonic. The director drew parallels between John Wick and Shadow, praising Keanu Reeves’ ability to bring complexity to the character. Reeves voiced Shadow in the sequel “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” which has dominated box office projections.
The return of Jim Carrey as Dr. Ivo Robotnik was a key factor in the film’s success. Despite initial reservations about reprising his role, Carrey’s love for entertaining young audiences eventually won him over. His involvement also led to an unexpected twist: playing both Dr. Robotnik and his grandfather, Professor Gerald Robotnik.
The challenges of adapting beloved properties are evident, as Fowler himself faced criticism on social media during the production of the first film. However, he acknowledged the importance of respecting fan passion, stating that it stems from a place of love.
With “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” Fowler seems to be hitting his stride in bringing the iconic characters to life. Paramount is already developing a fourth film, which may introduce new figures from the video game series and expand the franchise’s possibilities.
Source: https://variety.com/2024/film/news/sonic-the-hedgehog-3-director-jeff-fowler-interview-keanu-reeves-casting-shadow-jim-carrey-retirement-1236256537