One More Franchise

At least, that's the general idea.

Looking to launch a new family film franchise, Sony Pictures Entertainment has teamed with SEGA Sammy Group division Marza Animation Planet to develop a hybrid/live action and CG-animated feature film based on the Sonic The Hedgehog video game series. The film will be scripted by Evan Susser and Van Robichaux. 22 Jump Street’s Neal H. Moritz will produce through his Original Film banner, with Marza’s Takeshi Ito and Mie Onishi. Toby Ascher will be exec producer.

The plan is to release one movie per year. Pic will focus on Sonic’s rivalry with characters from the vidgame, including his evil nemesis Dr. Eggman. Sonic uses his stature as world’s fastest hedgehog to move at supersonic speed to protect his friends from their enemies. The game has been around two decades, selling over 140 million games and generating $1 billion in revenues. ...

So why not a tent-pole? The character's been around for decades and already made tons of money. This is another platform to be exploited, correct?

Just so long as they understand that it's not enough to have a character. You also need a story and a wee bit of character development.

'Twill be interesting to see where this long-form cartoon gets written and story-boarded. Methinks Southern California will be involved.