SEGA Sammy Group has confirmed that planning is now underway for a Sonic the Hedgehog movie, scheduled to release in 2018.
Produced by Sony Pictures it is confirmed to be “a live-action and animation hybrid,” with the news coming as the blue blur celebrates 25 years since his first adventure on Mega Drive sped in.
“SEGA Sammy Group is currently planning with Sony Pictures to create a live-action and animation hybrid Sonic the Hedgehog movie scheduled for release in 2018,” SEGA Sammy Holdings CEO and president Hajime Satomi shared with The Worldfolio.
“Like with this CG animation production, we would like to expand our business into other entertainment areas beyond what we are currently involved.”
We have known about the movie partnership since it was announced in June 2014, but news surrounding the project had fallen silent since.
Asked as to their continued plans to rebuild the SEGA brand involve, Satomi continued: “As I said before, the SEGA brand first became famous as an arcade machine and then with the home video game consoles. The Sonic character was largely popular with those machines and consoles.
“Unfortunately, we eventually withdrew from the home video game console business. However, our name and brand is still out there because of the famous characters from people’s childhood. We would like to change, adjust or shift our product, brand and business with the current era to be a leader again in the future.
“Going forward, SEGA Sammy Group’s key word and main focus is and remains entertainment. Even through our resorts, I.R. or even pachinko business, we remain focused on the entertainment industry. We are also the largest institutional shareholder of Sanrio, which has famous characters such as Hello Kitty, etc. I would like the SEGA Sammy Group to be recognised for entertainment internationally in the future.”
