Jeff Fowler has directed all three “Sonic the Hedgehog” films, but his association with the video game franchise pre-dates the spikey haired speedster’s big screen debut. Like any self-respecting child of the 1990’s, he grew up playing “Sonic.” “I loved his attitude and that swagger that he had,” Fowler says. “It was impossible not to fall in love with the guy.”
That interest led to an early gig working on the 2005 video game “Shadow the Hedgehog,” a third-person shooter spinoff that focused on a black hedgehog who exists as a darker, moodier, yin to Sonic’s yang. “Whereas Sonic is this motor-mouthed kid who is excited and joyous and optimistic, Shadow is the other side to the coin,” Fowler says. “He’s been through some real hardships and that’s caused his life to spin out in this radically different direction.”
Things are coming full circle with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” which hit theaters this weekend, where it is dominating the box office and outracing Disney’s “Mufasa.” It also serves as Shadow’s introduction to the SCU (Sonic Cinematic Universe). And Fowler could think of no one better to bring Shadow to life than Keanu Reeves, best known for serving up cinematic justice in the “John Wick” films, who voices the hard-charging hedgehog in the sequel.
“There are obvious parallels between John Wick and Shadow,” Fowler admits. “But Keanu has always played complex, brooding characters with a real edge to them. He was the perfect fit.”
“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” also brings back Jim Carrey as Dr. Ivo Robotnik, the mad scientist who served as the primary antagonist in the two previous films. Carrey’s involvement wasn’t a given — the actor had previously said he was retiring from acting. But recasting the role wasn’t an option with Fowler believing that Carrey’s comic stylings were irreplaceable.
“In my heart of hearts, I felt like if we offered Jim a fun concept and if we dangled just the right carrot, he’d come back,” Fowler says. “He loves entertaining young audiences.”
Ultimately, it was the prospect of playing not one, but two outrageous characters that helped seal the deal, with Carrey doing double duty as the demented doctor and his grandfather, Professor Gerald Robotnik, that got the comic to sign on the dotted line. (Carrey has also said that he needed the money).
As for Fowler, he’s been linked to a live-action, animated hybrid reboot of “The Pink Panther,” but he doesn’t have much to offer about what he has planned for the film. “It’s one of those iconic franchises, which is exciting,” he says.
There are challenges that come with handling such beloved properties. When Fowler and his team were working on the first “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie, initial designs for the CGI creation were subjected to withering reviews on social media, with fans faulting the character’s eyes and teeth and comparing him unfavorably to the felines in “Cats.” Fowler went public, saying that “the message is loud and clear” and sending the team back to the drawing boards for a redesign that more closely aligned the movie version of Sonic with the one from the games.
“The fans are passionate about these characters and you have to respect that,” he says. “It comes from a place of love.”
“The Pink Panther” may beckon, but it’s not clear that Fowler is ready to bid goodbye to Sonic, Shadow and the rest of the gang after directing three movies and an episode of the streaming spinoff series, “Knuckles.” Paramount is developing a fourth film and the latest sequel introduces some new figures from the video game series who could take the franchise in exciting directions.
“We can keep growing the world and growing the family of Sonic characters,” Fowler teases. “I feel like we’re just hitting our stride.”
