The Business
Bob Iger’s resignation, ‘Sonic’ saved
“Sonic the Hedgehog” is director Jeff Fowler’s first feature film, and it looked like it was going to be his first bomb when the trailer dropped last spring. Fans of the video game emphatically rejected the too-realistic look of the lead character.
By Kim Masters • • 28m ListenWhen the first trailer for “Sonic the Hedgehog” landed last spring, fans of the video game were horrified by the title character’s look. So Paramount postponed the film’s theatrical release date for three months, and Sonic was sent back to the drawing board.
“Sonic” seemed like yet another video game-based movie to fail at the box office. Instead, it was a boom: In two weeks, it raked in more than $100 million at U.S. theaters.
“Sonic the Hedgehog” director Jeff Fowler tells us how he brought the blue guy back from the brink of disaster.
In this episode
2 storiesHollywood news banter: Bob Iger resigns as Disney CEO, shocks industry
Bob Iger spent 15 years as the leader of The Walt Disney Company, overseeing huge acquisitions and unparalleled box office success, making him one of the most successful CEOs in history.
Read the story7 minPotential disaster to box office hit: Jeff Fowler saved ‘Sonic’
When the first trailer for “Sonic the Hedgehog” landed last spring, fans of the video game were horrified by the title character’s look. So Paramount postponed the film’s theatrical release date for three months, and Sonic was sent back to the drawing board.
Read the story21 min
