SEGA of America and Paramount Pictures Finalize Agreement to Co-produce Sonic the Hedgehog Feature Film
23 February 2018 - 5:00AM
Business Wire
Live-action CG animation film represents
next step in evolution of Sonic the Hedgehog IP and Will Premiere
in the United States on November 15, International Rollout to
Follow
SEGA Holdings Co., Ltd. today announced that SEGA of America,
Inc., has reached a final agreement with Paramount Pictures to
co-produce a Sonic the Hedgehog feature film, set for theatrical
release beginning in the United States on November 15, 2019, then
rolling out internationally to markets around the world.
This move represents an important next-step in the expansion of
the Sonic the Hedgehog IP, bringing the character to new audiences
globally. As part of the IP strategy for Sonic the Hedgehog, SEGA
Group has been working to expand this character beyond the video
game market to become an entertainment franchise. Recently, Sonic
has appeared as an animated character on television, consumer
products, console and mobile games, and more.
“I am very honored that our companies, SEGA and MARZA, have this
incredible opportunity to partner with Paramount Pictures for this
production, which will bring Sonic to the big screen for the first
time. Since he was first introduced to the world 26 years ago,
Sonic has continued to grow in popularity as part of our core
strategy to focus on video games. In addition to video games, this
provides SEGA with a fantastic opportunity to share Sonic with
everyone and we can't wait to reveal more to eager audiences in the
future,” said SEGA Holdings Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(CEO), Haruki Satomi.
Paramount Pictures will work closely with SEGA of America to
bring Sonic to the big screen, said Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and
CEO, Paramount Pictures.
“We are incredibly excited to work with SEGA to bring this
iconic property and character to audiences around the world,” said
Gianopulos. “We look forward to our partnership on this great
venture.”
Planned for a worldwide release showcasing both live-action and
CG animation elements, the feature film will be the first time
Sonic has been adapted for the big screen. Developing the project
since its inception as a producer as well as a production house,
MARZA Animation Planet Co., Ltd., owned by SEGA Group, will be
joined by an assembly of high-profile talent.
The film has signed on notable industry veterans including:
- Producer Neal H. Moritz from Original
Film Inc. (“Fast and Furious” series)
- Director Jeff Fowler (Blur Studio,
Academy Award® nominee for 2005 Best Animated Short Film “Gopher
Broke.”)
- Executive producer Tim Miller (director
of the Marvel/Fox feature “Deadpool” and owner of animation and CG
production company Blur Studio)
“I'm thrilled to be partnered with SEGA and to have such an
incredible and supportive home for Sonic with Jim and Paramount,”
said Moritz.
Sonic the Hedgehog was first seen in 1991 on the SEGA Genesis.
Since then, the character was inducted into the “World Video Game
Hall of Fame” in 2016 at The Strong National Museum of Play in
Rochester, New York. Most recently, the popular franchise has seen
two new hit releases in 2017, Sonic Mania™ and Sonic Forces™
(PlayStation® 4, Nintendo Switch™, Xbox One™, PC). Total sales of
the series including both packaged and digital downloads count over
360 million units.
About SEGA of America
SEGA of America is the American subsidiary of SEGA Games Co.,
Ltd. The company plans, develops, publishes and distributes
interactive entertainment for home video game consoles and PC.
www.sega.com.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and
distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ:
VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected
film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount
controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed
entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation,
Paramount Television, Paramount Players, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon
Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media
Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing
Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
About Marza Animation Planet
Established in 2009, MARZA ANIMATION PLANET, INC. is a CG
Animation Production Studio under SEGA Holdings. Based in
Tokyo, Marza also has its US office in Burbank, California where
they have several other projects in development. Leveraging
Japan’s top CG production technologies and IP, Marza develops and
produces CG animated films from Japan for the rest of the
world. For more information, visit http://www.marza.com.
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