There were plenty of reactions to Paramount Pictures’ Sonic the Hedgehog film poster when it was unveiled earlier this month, and more than a few were critical of the hero’s physique.

Internet users were quick to note Sonic‘s muscular legs and the decision to give him fur over quills.

Executive producer Tim Miller explained the decision as one that puts Sonic in the “real world” but this didn’t win over all of the character design’s critics. A second poster tossed more fuel on the fire as it places Sonic at the top of the Golden Gate bridge for a POV shot, his outstretched legs shown front and center.

The criticism didn’t fall on deaf ears. In fact, Paramount Pictures went the opposite route by both acknowledging fans’ concerns and also having fun and their expense. The company’s social media account tweeted a third “poster” on Sunday of Sonic holding a sign that reads “Can’t a guy work out? Be back next year. <3 Sonic.” The sign hides Sonic’s body from his head to waist. Only beefy legs are shown, far more muscular than the ones seen in previous posters.

https://twitter.com/SonicMovie/status/1074853082159243264

Paramount Pictures announced in August that it moved the opening date the film from November 15, 2019 to November 8, 2019 in the United States. The film will open in Australia on November 28, 2019 and in the United Kingdom on December 26, 2019. A Japanese opening date for the film will be announced “soon.”

Ben Schwartz (DuckTales, Parks and Recreation) will voice the title character Sonic in the film. James Marsden (Westworld, X-Men) and Tika Sumpter will star in the film, and Jim Carrey (The Truman Show, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective) will voice the villain Robotnik.

Jeff Fowler is making is directorial debut with the film. Tim Miller (Deadpool) and Toby Ascher are executive producing with producer Neal Moritz (Fast & Furious franchise) and co-producers Dmitri Johnson and Dan Jevons.

The film project first emerged in 2014 as a hybrid computer-animated and live-action feature film project by Sonyand Marza Animation Planet. In February 2016, SegaSammy Holdings president and CEO Hajime Satomirevealed that Sony Pictures Entertainment was planning the film. The Hollywood Reporter reported in October that Paramount Pictures had acquired the rights to develop the film.

Source: IndieWire
Featured image: Twitter/@SonicMovie

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