Though the storied failure of Mario and Luigi – AKA Nintendo’s Mario Brothers – to translate from game to film is years behind us now, and although recent movies such as **Need For Speed **have also arrived lacking quality gas, nothing will stop people trying to turn console characters into franchise powerhouses. Fast & Furious** overlord Neal Moritz is hoping speed demon Sonic The Hedgehog can grab a few gold rings as he dashes around cinemas{
Moritz’ regular collaborator Sony is backing this one, which is an attempt to bring the spiky character first birthed by Sega way back in 1991 to our screens. The prolific producer has Upright Citizens Brigade comedy troupe veterans Evan Susser and Van Robichaux at work on a script that will attempt to translate the hero’s battles with the evil Dr. Ivo “Eggman” Robotnik into a narrative that blends CG and live-action, much as the Smurfs successfully did for Sony already. And, should the first film find a willing audience, there’s naturally a plan for a series of movies…
"There are limitless stories to tell with a character like Sonic the Hedgehog and a built-in international fan base," Columbia Pictures president of production Hannah Minghella says in a statement relayed by The Hollywood Reporter. "Along with our wonderful creative partners at Marza, we're looking to capture everything that generations of fans know and love about Sonic while also growing his audience wider than ever before."
Sonic has proven himself an enduring video game icon and has spawned more than one TV show, so perhaps he has a chance of succeeding where others have failed? Watch this space…