Minecraft Movie Aims to Dodge 'Ugly Sonic' Pitfall, Says Director

In an effort to avert a fan backlash similar to the infamous 'Ugly Sonic' incident, Jared Hess, the director of the highly anticipated Warner Bros' Minecraft film, has expressed his determination to steer clear of such controversies. The debacle he refers to is the initial design of Sonic in the 2020 movie, which faced considerable backlash from fans and critics alike, leading to a complete redesign of the character.

Warp Pipe Weekly

A weekly recap of all things Nintendo

SUBSCRIBE

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. You can opt out at any time.

Follow us on social media!

Sign up for the Warp Pipe Weekly Newsleter

Get all of your Nintendo News

SUBSCRIBE

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. You can opt out at any time.

Learning from Sonic's Design Backlash for Minecraft Movie

Recalling the 'Ugly Sonic' situation, the first glimpse of Sonic in the movie's trailer was met with widespread disapproval, primarily due to its stark deviation from the beloved video game character's classic look. The criticism was so intense that the creators were compelled to completely rework Sonic's appearance to align more closely with fan expectations prior to the original movie's release.

The following Youtube clip from Insider does a great job breaking down all of the individual changes made between Sonic's initial debut and the production release.

On the bright side, Sega and Paramount got the design right in the end, as we look towards a Sonic Movie 3 premiering later this year. From early teasers, Shadow the Hedgehog will be a core addition to the animated franchise.

Avoiding the 'Ugly Sonic' Scenario in Minecraft Film

Addressing the upcoming Minecraft adaptation, Hess, in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune, emphasized his commitment to satisfying the game's young fanbase. "I just can't disappoint the 10-year-olds, or they're going to murder us," he remarked, acknowledging the high stakes involved in adapting such a beloved game. Hess, whose children are avid Minecraft players, feels a personal connection to the project.

Although Hess has not revealed significant plot details (although he did share that filming is set to commence in Auckland, New Zealand), he has expressed excitement about the challenge of crafting a narrative from a game that traditionally lacks a fixed storyline. "It's an open sandbox game... There's got to be a fun, ridiculous movie here. And there is," Hess confidently stated. His co-writer and wife, Jerusha Hess, also confirmed quirky elements like square carrots in the film.

The Star-Studded Team Behind the Minecraft Movie

The creative team for the Minecraft film is star-studded, featuring not only the Hess couple, known for their work on Napoleon Dynamite, but also Lord of the Rings production designer Grant Major. The cast includes notable names such as Jason Momoa, from Game of Thrones and Aquaman, as well as Jack Black, with speculations that Black may portray the character Steve.