The Sonic the Hedgehog movie’s official TikTok account has jumped into the ongoing conversation surrounding Shrek 5’s controversial redesigns, offering some well-timed advice straight from experience. The latest installment in DreamWorks’ beloved franchise has faced heavy backlash following its first trailer, with fans criticizing the updated character designs for straying too far from the originals. Given how Sonic the Hedgehog went through a similar ordeal back in 2019, the Sonic movie team had the perfect response
The TikTok post playfully compares the Shrek 5 situation to Sonic the Hedgehog’s original movie design, which infamously sparked internet-wide outrage before being reworked into the more faithful version seen in the final film. The video humorously suggests that “any green ogres looking for advice” should “take notes,” referencing how Sonic the Hedgehog successfully rebounded from its own backlash to become a billion-dollar franchise.
The Sonic redesign controversy remains one of the most well-known cases of fan feedback shaping a film’s production. The original design took an overly realistic approach, with unsettling human-like features that left audiences horrified. The backlash was immediate, forcing Paramount to delay the film while the character was completely overhauled. The results spoke for themselves—what could have been a disaster turned into a massive success, spawning two sequels, a spin-off series, and a growing cinematic universe.
For comparison, here’s how Sonic the Hedgehog has performed at the box office:
- Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) – $319 million worldwide
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) – $405 million worldwide
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) – $484 million worldwide
- Total Franchise Earnings – $1.2 billion worldwide
While Shrek 5’s character updates aren’t nearly as drastic as Sonic’s pre-redesign look, many fans feel the changes strip away what made the original cast so iconic. The tweaks, which appear to have aged Shrek and Fiona slightly while refining their features, have left audiences feeling disconnected from the characters they’ve known for decades. The reaction has been overwhelmingly negative, echoing the outcry that once plagued Sonic’s big-screen debut.
DreamWorks now faces a crucial decision—stick with the current designs or listen to fan feedback and adjust course before the film’s release. If Sonic the Hedgehog’s success has proven anything, it’s that acknowledging and responding to audience concerns can make all the difference.
Stay tuned to Sonic City for more Sonic News and Updates as this story develops!
