Summary
- The original Sonic the Hedgehog movie design faced heavy backlash, causing a costly redesign.
- Lost early footage and screenshots from the scrapped design have leaked online thanks to a surprising Twitter user.
- The leaked images show rough CG Sonic and early physical animatronic props from the 2018 production.
- The original design is now considered a cult punchline, while the redesigned movie became a box office success.
Lost Early Sonic Hedgehog Movie Footage Leaks in an Unexpected Way
The first Sonic the Hedgehog movie was famously delayed after fans erupted in backlash against Sonic’s original CG design. The negative response was so intense that Paramount and Sega scrapped and remade large parts of the film, redesigning Sonic to look more like his classic video game appearance.
For years, the original design footage was believed lost—until now.
A surprising Twitter user, whose account mostly posted audio clips of them farting, revealed screenshots and clips from the scrapped Sonic movie design.
The footage dates back to 2018 and features a mix of early rough CG Sonic models and shots using the original physical animatronic Sonic prop. This unexpected leak gave fans a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the troubled production.
What Do the Leaked Images of the Sonic Hedgehog Movie Show?
The leaked screenshots include scenes of Sonic alongside the owl Longclaw and riding in Tom Wachowski’s car. They also show the mushroom planet where Dr. Robotnik ends up stranded toward the movie’s end.
While the scenes themselves are recognisable, Sonic’s early look is dramatically different and widely considered unsettling compared to the beloved redesign.
Interestingly, the Twitter user who posted the footage, known as Doctor Caboose, claimed the content came from “a job that no longer exists,” possibly hinting they worked at Moving Picture Company, the Vancouver studio that contributed to the redesign before closing in 2019.
They also mentioned plans to release the full video after editing out personal information.
Overall, the decision to redo Sonic’s design paid off. The redesigned movie grossed over $320 million worldwide, spawned two sequels, and a live-action spin-off series on Paramount+.
A fourth film is already scheduled for 2027. Meanwhile, the original design has become a meme and pop culture reference, famously appearing as “Ugly Sonic” in the 2022 Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers movie.
