Director Jeff Fowler and the cast and crew of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 have celebrated the iconic character’s 30th birthday in a truly explosive way. The original Sonic the Hedgehog game released in 1991 on the 16-bit Sega Genesis console, known outside of the U.S. as the Sega Mega Drive. The character’s creation was a deliberate attempt from Sega Enterprises president Hayao Nakayama to put Sega on even footing with the enormous success Nintendo was enjoying with the Mario franchise.
In the 30 years since, the speedy blue Hedgehog has become a household name owing to the dozens of subsequent game sequels and spin-offs, animated cartoons, comic books, and merchandise. Then in 2020, long stagnating plans for a live-action Sonic the Hedgehog film finally came to fruition, eventually becoming the highest-grossing film based on a video game. After taking in over $310 million worldwide, it came as no surprise that Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was announced just months later.
With principal photography on Sonic the Hedgehog 2 already completed and the film moving into post-production, Fowler and his crew took some time out to give their titular hero a very special birthday cake. Taking a page out of Michael Bay’s book, Fowler explains “in movies, sooner or later something has to explode” before detonating the celebratory dessert in a spectacular display of projectile sponge pieces and blue icing. Check out the video below:
Frivolity aside, seeing Fowler enjoying himself on social media is a sharp departure from the avalanche of criticism he received when Sonic’s original design was unveiled in 2019. Initially aiming for a more realistic character design in the same vein as the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle reboot, the first look trailer and character reveals were almost universally panned by audiences and critics alike. Shortly thereafter, Fowler announced on Twitter that he had heard the feedback "loud and clear" and that those behind the film would be going back to the drawing board to change the design.
Despite adding $5 million to the budget and delaying Sonic the Hedgehog for an additional three months, that decision ultimately proved to be the right one, with the extra effort helping to usher the film to enormous success at the box office. The positive reception to the first movie not only led to Sonic the Hedgehog 2 but introduced a whole new generation to the beloved character. Without that, his 30th birthday wouldn't be nearly as exciting. Audiences will be able to see the fan-favorite hedgehog again, along with many of his friends, when Sonic the Hedgehog 2 releases on April 8, 2022.
Source: Jeff Fowler
