sonicthemovie

this is page for a upcoming sonic fan film trilogy starting with: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: THE ANIMATED﻿ FAN FILM.(former title: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG :SECRET OF THE CHAOS EMERALDS).a film by a guy named richard kuta.he tried to pich this idea to sega of japan but they rejected them so he is making it into a fan film. plot: Sonic the Hedgehog! The beloved video game character known to millions races to your desktop in his first full length feature! When Dr. Robotnik uncovers 7 mysterious emeralds containing an abnormal amount of energy, chaos ensues as he attempts to seize the planet by exploiting their incredible power. Sonic forms “The Freedom Fighters,” an alliance dedicated to restoring peace to their endangered world. It’s non-stop high speed adventure as the epic battle between good and evil is determined by the fastest thing alive! this site has pictures, posters, model sheets,F.A.Q's and so much more! :Disclamer: i do not own sonic or the charecters Sega Dic ect ect ect.also i do not own the film richard kuta does.right now sega doesent approved the film for the time being.UPDATE : pre proudution of the film is complete. also heres a statment by the former directer: "5 years in the making, and it has never lost momentum. Its amazing how far we've come in the process and is a true testimate to what devoted artists can achieve. While I have been silent on the topic for the past 8 months (aside from casually trickling out bits of storyboards and artwork), Im happy to report that my new team has accomplished alot this year. Massive changes to character designs. Trimmed down 5th draft script. New storyboards and.....new title?? Well, it was the result of a collective brainstorm between the director and myself. Its possible that the film will still retain its original name, but Sonic Genesis has a certain charm that conveys a double meaning. Its an origin story that borrows aspects of the franchise's past ie, Sega Genesis. Its just so aptly titled that it works on so many levels.

As you can tell, the slate has been wiped clean and we started off fresh to wash our hands of the troubled past this project initially went through. The only portion of the original project remains, is the voice recordings. Currently, the film is about to enter the long anticipated animation phase once everything is reviewed. I along with the studio staff are combing through all the details to ensure that its ready to bring life into these characters. Now you're probably curious, what exactly happened during that extended period of time since the trailer was released last Fall?

After the conflict that occurred, I handed the project over to a new director and animation studio. Even though I was relinquishing control over to another entity, they were generous to let me monitor their work and see what changes they made. Ive personally been combing through the storyboard art and I must say, its nothing short of awesome. These artists contributed so much effort and detail that you can tell these people are passionate about their work. The director eventually grew to enjoy SatAM even though she just knew about the Sonic games but I gradually converted her into a fan. Considering that pre-production is 100% complete, there remains a decision that were all reluctant about.

As much as the studio wants to promote this ambitious project on a website or blog, there exist the one major conundrum that could ultimately hinder its production, mostly, because of my association with it.But hey, all that controversy and animosity that's constantly projected at me should be left behind. I may have endured alot of stress and torment during the films development, but I always stayed true to my goal in making an animated Sonic Fan Film for the fans by the fans. Something that incorporates all elements of the franchise where nobody is excluded or alienated. Just cause the central characters are freedom fighters doesn't mean that its a SatAM movie. There's alot of aspects and nods to the original Genesis games with their appropriate redesigns to reflect the dark atmosphere. Perhaps when the animation chugs along, I might give them the go ahead and make a site to host all the content." This site is dedecated to Ben Hurst. 1951 -2010. UPDATE 30 sceond preview is up trustme it's awsome.

media type="youtube" key="-ZlGWgnrWyI" height="390" width="640"

update: good news bad news. the good news is that a man named eddie lebron is working on a 20 minute live action sonic fan film starring jaleel white as sonic! the bad news that due to those stupid fanboys harassing richard kuta he cancelled this fan film for all eternity. SONIC THE ANIMATED FAN FILM 2007-2011 R.I.P. i hope your satisfied you @#$@%^^&^&! Cast(if the film was aproved by sega) Ryan Drummund or Jaleel White.....Sonic Niki Jones......Tails Kath Soucie....Princess Sally Acorn Reese Witherspoon.........Bunnie Rabbot Jim Cummings.......Dr.Robotnik Charlie Adler......Crabmeat Christopher Lloyd.......Uncle Chuck Tim Curry.....King Acorn Frank Welker....Muttski Gary Chalk.......Grounder Tom Kenny............Motobug Video and Audio editing: S.F./CYAN Art:Kimberly F. Chad M. Brian R. Animation: Adny Angrand Music: Vince Dicola (not anymore) Director and Producer: Richard Kuta Format:Widescreen Flash animation with 3D graphics Releese date: never to be released images:

























F.A.Q. answerd by the director.


 * How did the Sonic movie project begin? Well, the fan film version?**

The film began many years ago as a pitch to Sega of America in 2005. It was picked up by Universal Pictures in late 2007 and then dropped by Sega's Japanese branch. The FAN FILM version of the same concept began on May 7th, 2008; with a small group of individuals. Since then, the project has evolved tremendously. Currently, were wrapping up the storyboard stage and from there, animation galore!


 * How large is the crew?**

Currently we are a group of 23 sans the animators. The Animation crew will be comprised of possibly 22 individuals or more, so i'd say in total, close to 50. I'm planning on having 8 animators involved with this project including my lead animator; 2 keyframers, 2 tweeners, 2 background artists, and 2 CGI artists for the actual film. The more people we gather, the better the animation quality will be.
 * What will your animation staff consist of?**


 * Who is in the crew working on it? Are you able to share any names?**

Unfortunately, no. We are NOT at liberty at the moment, to reveal who is in the crew until either they give us permission to do so, or until you witness it in the end credits of the film. With that being said, rest assured that the crew is made out of some extremely talented individuals, all with something different to bring to the table. Divulging their names could cause further conflict ie spam, hate mail, and even death threats. This has happened in the past believe it or not. That type of animosity could jeopardize and procrastinate its production. So please, respect their privacy and let them work in peace.


 * What about the Voice Actors? Who Are they?**

Unfortunately, we can't tell you that either, until said voice actors give us permission to reveal their identities and the characters they play. Again, talented individuals. We just can't reveal who they are just yet.


 * What format of Animation will this be?**

Hand Drawn 2D Animation using a wacom. No paper was used during the trailer animation and inking was done without the use of any vector tools. The film itself will be animated by a studio in Miami who agreed to work with us. The finished product will be released in HD Widescreen. However if our plans fall through, then our contingency plan is to employ Flash animation and do what we can with it.


 * Hey, you should get (insert name here) to do the voices./ I'm available for voice acting if you guys really need it.**

Sorry, the cast has already been chosen, and ALL of the lines have been recorded. So no can do.


 * Is this some elaborate hoax? IS there a sonic fan film?**

No, this is not a hoax. This film is indeed in production and has been for sometime now. We've had our share of difficulties and several personal and business issues have arisen early on in production (and even some now), but we continue to work on the project until it's eventually completed.


 * I'm confused. Is this a SatAM movie, or are there any other elements of Sonic involved?**

Many people get the misconception that this is a Sonic SatAM. It isn't. Instead, it is a combination of multiple elements of the sonic franchise as a whole, put together into a film for ALL sonic fans to enjoy, despite the fact that the core characters and storyline resemble SatAM. So no, it isn't a SatAM movie Per Se.


 * Are there any sequel plans?**

Yes, there are two more sequels planned, as the original idea was to make this into a trilogy. HOWEVER, we are not entirely sure yet if we are going to act on it yet. For now, it's a wait-and-see situation. But yes, we do have plans, and there have been multiple discussions. Even some of the members of the cast and crew have signed on or shown support for sequels. But rejoice Sonic fans. Knuckles, The Chaotix, Shadow, Amy, Rouge and much more are queued to appear if there's any movement with future installments


 * Will this film be on sale, on DVD?**

NO. Absolutely NOT. Not only is it considered ILLEGAL, but we do not have SEGA's endorsement, permission, or authorization to do so, and selling a physical product is a clear violation of copyright laws. I am personally funding the movie from MY OWN savings and paychecks I receive from my freelancing work. However, the movie will be downloadable FOR FREE to burn to DVD for PERSONAL USE ONLY, and we do NOT endorse copyright violation. Which means, NO RESALE OF ANY KIND or illegal distribution will be tolerated, and we are abundantly clear on this. Plus this project is no different than the Sonic fan material you see on Youtube or Newgrounds. The only difference is that it will have a higher production value.

We will continue to stress this point time and time again. This is strictly a NON PROFIT fan film. The film will be up for streaming online and available for download via Torrent.....for FREE!


 * Who are the artists of the film? And why does the artwork look familiar**?

In 2007, there was some controversy regarding how the art direction was handled. Due to those actions, we have scraped their work and started fresh with new designs. Though I did commend them for their service, they were properly compensated in the end. As for our new artists, we can't reveal who the artists are at this time, as they have not given permission to reveal their identities. Besides these artists, the artwork is also done by the lead animator of the project.


 * What type of music will you be using?**

An eclectic dosage of familiar yet updated Sonic tunes. In addition, some talented musicians (who happen to be friends of mine) have offered to compose the score as well as original songs that compliment the atmosphere and overall vibe of the film. One band in particular has already recorded a song and it is entrancing.


 * I read the leaked first draft of the script and it was pretty weak. Is this the finalized script, or has it changed at all?**

The First Draft was written in 2006, so no, it is not the finalized script. We have actually reached a 4th Draft before the recording process was even finished.


 * In that case, can I read it?**

Sorry, no.


 * How long is the animation process exactly, being it's 2D animation?**

Approximately 2 years, with roughly 30 animators. Keep in mind, this film is 2 hours and 10 minutes total, all hand drawn animation. So it will take quite a while for the film to be completed and for it to go into post production.


 * What about Antoine and Rotor? Why just Sally, Sonic, Bunnie, and Tails?**

There is no Antoine and Rotor, because we decided to continue straight from where I, started off. Meaning, all of the work that was already done, including the script, was used. Because of this, we had to remain rather rigid about the production, and we could not make any major changes to include rotor and antoine. HOWEVER, the sequel plans are to include Rotor and Antoine later on, so anything can happen. We'll see.


 * I noticed classic elements from the older Sonic games such as badniks and Metal Sonic were shown in the trailer. Does this mean Super Sonic or the usage of Chaos Emeralds will be integrated within the story?**

Yep!
 * When will the film be releases?**

Well, we currently have a projected release date for //June 23rd, 2011//, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Sonic franchise. However, the date is subject to change at any given time.
 * Who is funding this project?**

Me, myself and I. Producing an animated film of this magnitude has been a costly affair and we can honestly use all the assistance we can get. I discovered some rather unsavory articles and photos about you. Mind explaining? In the annals of being apart of the Sonic community, I’ve come to realize that most of the fans are a defensive bunch and even go through lengths to sabotage someone's hard work. What’s comical is how they feel threatened whenever their perception of Sonic is challenged so they lunge after the person as if they’re committing some heinous crime. The slander that has been circulated, particularly on a site called Encyclopedia Dramatica, is grossly exaggerated if not falsified. Certain mistakes were made in the past I admit, but nothing to where I deserve the constant mudslinging I have endured recently. The questionable depictions pertain to a stage of my life that I was going through during my college days. Though I have no control over the content that is spread, I do wish to coerce those memories into repression and move on. Plus the validity of these satirical articles are laughable, so just brush it off and don't take it seriously.


 * Bonus Question: If this project gets a 2nd shot at becoming a Hollywood film, what are your plans?**

To maintain its creative integrity that will hopefully involve my devoted crew. Its imperative for any movie based on established properties to stay faithful to the source material to universally appease the fans. Otherwise, you get Dragonball Evolution

history: //**1. Tell us a bit about who you are-- your schooling, freelance business, where you're from, etc.**//

Where to begin. Well, my name is Richard Kuta, a surname that is of Polish descent. I was born in 1981 and raised from a quaint little suburban town known as Castro Valley in sunny California. As a child, I grew up in a strict household where education was a main focus. Recreation was never encouraged unless it had some positive influence or a way of expanding ones mind. My father was very authoritative on the subject which nearly deprived me of a real childhood. I’d classify myself as the black sheep of my family since I always had an inherent love of art and expressing myself in any form that was available. I recall many a school days where I was caught doodling on my notebooks instead of learning the multiplication tables *laughs time progressed, I migrated to different applications to express my creativity. One in particular was on the Super Nintendo called “Mario Paint.” I remember begging my parents to buy me that for Christmas and I was so full of glee when I got it. Now that I think of it, I would probably classify it as the precursor to Flash animation.
 * As

After high school, I made a last minute decision to apply at the Academy of Art University , which is known as one the most prestigious art colleges in the country. My major was originally 3D Animation & Modeling, but the work was so tedious and droning that I switched to something more broadening which was Multimedia. It allowed me to dabble in creative writing, graphic design, film production, and web development. During my freshman year, I had difficulty finding employment, so I freelanced for a couple of my friends’ indie rock bands. Designing web sites, concert posters/flyers, and CD art work. The money I earned was used to pay for my college and the rest for car insurance. This inspired me to start my own design firm and thusly RK Dezignz was established in the Fall of 1999. In 2005, I graduated with a Bachelors, and moved to an apartment in Concord maintaining moderate success with my business.

//**2. What got you into Sonic the Hedgehog?**//

Believe it or not, I’ve always been a Nintendo loyalist. I owned a Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Game Boy, Nintendo64, and I’m the proud owner of a Wii. However, my obsession with the blue blur stems from one day sauntering through the video game section at a Toys R Us. As memory serves this was at the time the Super Nintendo was a few months shy of release and I was there to purchase “Operation Contra” for my Game Boy. I noticed the usual Sega Genesis display that I would pass by without acknowledgement. To me, Sega was inferior to the Big N and its games never impressed me. Hell, I remember the console wars of the early 90s and there was this commercial that really irked me. “Genesis does what Nintendont.” That was an immediate turn off for a Nintendo fanboy such as myself . As aggressive as that endorsement was , I became somewhat drawn to the first Sonic the Hedgehog game due to its original take on 2D sidescrollers. The graphics, the high energy soundtrack, that intimidating finger wag, and of course, the speed. That was actually the first time I physically touched a Sega Genesis controller which felt strangely intuitive. Within those 6 minutes of bliss, I knew that somehow this character was going to rival Mario. Ironically , I never fathomed that I would be playing a Sonic game on a Nintendo console years later.

It wasn’t till 1993 that Sonic mania was unleashed upon the world and his spiky blue quills were plastered everywhere. Seriously, it was almost hard to elude since the franchise really blossomed with a series of merchandise, comics, and cartoons shows. But what really got me hooked on Sonic, was the Saturday morning series that aired on ABC or as its dubbed by the fans, SatAM. Oppose to the cartoon that ran in syndication on UPN, it had a certain charm to it that has yet to be matched into today’s standards. In addition it had that sci-fi, fantasy, cyberpunk atmosphere to it, which was a genre that I was heavily into. Honestly, it was the gateway show that convinced me to fork my cash to the Sega corporation and to acquire a Sega Genesis. My entire library consisted of Sonic and Sonic related games. On top of that, I subscribed to the Archie comics. To this day, they still arrive at my door. Now that’s clever marketing on Sega’s part, knowing they were able to convert me into a fan of their mascot.

//**3. Alright, let's get this out of the way right from the start. You've been a Sonic fan since the beginning, as well as a presence within the community-- particularly the SatAM fanbase. Based on your history, some people have had doubts about your claims and chances (legitimately) and have been a bit weary of your ideas from the beginning. Without unnecessarily revisiting old wounds, can you quickly address these concerns?**//

I’ll go out on a limb and say that I undoubtedly have made my footprint in the Sonic community. I was 15 when I discovered SonicHQ during the internet boom of the mid-90s. I religiously use to post on their message boards under the alias “Sonmanic” and contributed to hard hitting topics and discussions. It was an on-going hobby of mine that spilled over to this decade and I still have a blast doing it. However, there was an incident that occurred in 2002 that labeled me a pariah and nearly forced me into exile from the Sonic fandom. I created a website called Sonmanicphilez where I hosted and freely distributed episodes of all the Sonic cartoons. I spent three months encoding all the episodes from my VHS tapes that were essentially in the stages of quality degration. What coaxed me into this audacious decision, was from all the demands and cries I see posted on various Sonic sites. Fans were trying to obtain these episodes cause no network was airing them. I empathized with the situation cause fans were truly missing out at some of these great classics and it was shame that Sega and DiC didn’t officially release these shows till a couple years later. In all good nature, I just wanted to help and it’s unfortunate that it somehow translated into me desecrating the fan base. I’m not implying that I advocate bootlegging or file sharing, but giving the scenario I felt like a crusader in trying to pacify the community. In early 2003, some anonymous whistle blower pulled the plug on my operation and I received a “cease and desist” letter. In retrospect, I regret my actions. I was a fool trying to play Mr. Generosity and it obviously backfired. Now that the trinity of Sonic cartoons are released, there shouldn’t be a justification for illegal distribution. Mistakes were made in the past, and I hope all the torrents of defamatory comments and slander I have received will finally subside.


 * //4. Can you tell us a bit about how and when this project was initially conceived? Many people are still under the impression that this was strictly a "SatAM movie." How did you initially approach this project, and how did that approach evolve over time? Can you give a brief overview of the stages your project went through?//**

Its funny how things can get misconstrued just by mentioning a reference. The ideas for a Sonic movie have been rife in my mind since the cancellation of SatAM in 1995. I became more immersive with the Archie Comics since it was a way to live vicariously through the characters that I grew to love. Suffice to say, the stories during the comic’s infancy were actually screenplay worthy and I modeled their style into some of my early writings. My inspiration would soar to a higher level during 12th grade when I came in contact with Ben Hurst; writer for the SatAM cartoon show. I remember reading an article that was posted on SonicHQ announcing that the second coming of SatAM was imminent. It stated that the scrapped third season of the show would be transformed into a feature length film via theatrical or Direct-to-VHS release (this was in 1998, so DVD’s weren’t a common format yet haha). You can imagine my excitement as well as the fans. SatAM was an appropriate direction to take with Sonic, and I was behind the idea 110%. To show my support I wanted to personally wish the man luck on his project. Upon our conversations over email, I inquired to him on how I can contribute to the Sonic franchise or to his film. His response. //“Get a college education, pursue a major in the entertainment industry and then get back to me in a couple years//.” With those inspiring words of wisdom, I concentrated on my art and acquired the knowledge needed to become a success like him. I had nothing but the deepest respect and admiration for this man, especially since he created a short lived masterpiece that deserved recognition. Early this decade, I was saddened when I heard that his plans have failed and decided to throw in the towel. Shortly after, Ken Penders of Archie Comics made proposal, only to have suffer the same failure as Mr. Hurst. It was almost as if the torch was being passed to me since I attributed the same drive as them. In between my own projects and college assignments, I would flesh out some rough outlilnes of how I envisioned the film.

5. As a longtime fan and online community member of over 10 years, you've obviously witnessed the franchise grow and branch out over its 16 years of existence, and are no stranger to its many different incarnations and ever-growing number of fan subdivisions. Can you tell us about how you hoped to resolve these differences and create a compelling story that would appeal to the mass market as well as Sonic's diverse fanbase?

At first the film was solely based around SatAM, but I made a ton of modifications on the story when the Sonic Universe was entering it’s transitional period. So many attempts were executed but the more I conversed with the fans, the more I realized that it was becoming a challenge to please them. The SatAM fans were fading away once the Sonic Adventure games and Sonic X cartoon found the spotlight. Sonic fans of a new generation were being born, and a cartoon like SatAM seemed foreign to them. I had to approach this more diligently and rethink my strategy. In the dawn of new millennium, the Sonic franchise was branching out. It was depressing to find that fans were becoming more divided and living in their sovereign nations of Sonicdom. The problem I faced, was that I was coerced into choosing sides with the feud that was ragging in the fandom. You’re either a SegaSonic fan, SatAM fan, Archie Fan, or you’re not. You’re a friend or a foe. It’s ridiculous. Why would fans of Sonic the Hedgehog express so much hatred just because they can’t accept or learn to tolerate other parallels? Sonic fans have become so fascist and close minded that it’s difficult to have a rational discussion with them without it resulting in a flame war. It’s disgusting and I continue to find it difficult to browse a Sonic website without tearing up. Unlike Mario, Sonic himself has never been canonized. It was then that I decided to start from scratch and write a new Sonic movie that borrows an array of elements from the hedgehog buffet. The comics, video games, TV shows, and something original to throw on the table. It would deliver massive appeal to Sonic fans and a general audience by telling an original, compelling story. I was confident of its potential, cause it would avoid alienating the fan base and institute a bond in the community.

6. You tied together many different aspects of the Sonic multiverse-- even minor details-- in some decidedly clever and interesting ways. You've always had a particular soft spot for the 90s Saturday morning Sonic series, and the desire to see its vision continued was clearly one of the driving forces behind your project, especially in the early stages. Can you tell us about that and how this relates to your overall view of the Sonic franchise? What other Sonic media has inspired you the most?

In the annals of Sonic’s history, I always felt that SatAM was a result of Sega’s brilliance. Even though DiC Entertainment created and produced the show, Sega themselves gave them a thumbs up approval. That alone implies that Sega had future plans for the characters. Remember Sonic Spinball? There was a bonus level where you had to free Princess Sally, Bunnie, Antonie, Rotor from the Roboticizer. Further evidence was uncovered this year on a game centered around the cartoon. I think the demo of it was posted on youtube. There was also the controversy in 1997 when Archie Comics planned to kill off Princess Sally, and in a twist of events, Sega implored them not to. Its bewildering how SatAM has maintained esoteric success after 15 years, yet Sega fails to utilize the characters and settings in any of their games (excluding Sonic Spinball of course). The show involves characters that you can relate and sympathize with while expounding on a game that was virtually about a hedgehog that ran and fought robots. It’s genius! The creators took something simplified, and stretched it out. The overall tone paints a dark, Orwellian atmosphere portrayed in that classic 1930’s serial format. Its no surprise that the inspiration was derived from sci-fi opuses such as Star Wars and Blade Runner and done in a brilliant fashion. Sega is sitting on a gold mine here, and they just haven’t dug for it.

7. In mid 2006 You communicated off and on via phone and e-mail with the head executive at Sega of America's licensing department, who seemed surprisingly open to your ideas. Can you talk a bit about how you got in this position and how it was pitching your ideas to Sega? How did the executive respond to your ideas-- particularly those in connection to SatAM?

Ah yes, Robert Leffler. It was an awkward period for me. After college, I became a reclusive and indecisive of where my career was heading. I didn’t know what to do with my life, since my educational obligations were completed. I was in my early 20s, with a college degree and a dream. I wanted to apply my skill and talent to something I cherished. As risky as it seemed, they say that you should make sacrifices while your young so you wont live a life of regret. What’s funny is that I was reluctant to contact Sega cause I feared the unknown. So eventually (a couple months later), I gained the courage to pick up the phone and call them. After playing phone tag from some of the associates I was forwarded to, I was finally directed to the Trademark Department, in which Robert Leffler was in charge of. We started bantering about Sonic. His past, present and future and he seemed like a very down to earth, laid back type of guy. He was open to my ideas and shared his concern regarding the current state of the franchise. My campaign, was to “restore the dignity back into Sonic” and it resonated with Robert. It was definitely an unexpected reaction. In the summer of that year, he flew to Japan on my behalf to pitch my idea to the Japanese branch; being the hierarchy of company.


 * //8. In late 2006 you received a reply from the aforementioned executive stating that he had spoken to Sega of Japan and Sonic Team about your idea during a business trip to Japan (as SoJ clearly seems to have the final say in such matters) and that they were placing it in the "pre-green lit" stage, granted you could provide them with a studio, budgeting, etc. (We got a bit ahead of ourselves by temporarily making this information public on Saturday Morning Sonic and a few other minor online outlets.) Can you tell us a bit more about the circumstances surrounding this letter? What else was contained in the correspondence you had with Sega during this time, and what was your next step from there?//**

I have a better idea in mind. I’ll provide that very letter.

- Original Message -

From:

robert.leffler@segaamerica.com

To:

richk@rkdezignz.com

Sent:

Friday, Sept 15, 2006 3:12 PM

Subject:

RE: Sonic Movie

Hi Rich,

I just returned from Japan and we did discuss the Sonic movie, either for theatrical release or straight to DVD. Sega Japan is considering several options on how to develop a Sonic movie or new TV show and it's a decision that will not be made quickly. They do feel that a new project should be developed in the West as Sonic is considered a Western property; it's never been that popular in Japan. However, they have placed your idea in the pre-green lit stage until you can submit the details regarding your place in this project.

In order for them to seriously consider a proposal for Sonic, they will need information on you and your group, what experience or background you have, what approach you would take (2-D vs 3-D, storyline, etc.), financials on the production, what financing you have, production timeline, possible voice talent, and more importantly who would do the production.

I realize that's a lot to put together, but they tend to ask for a lot of information and take a long time to make a decision. Good luck!

Regards,

Robert Leffler Licensing and Trademark

SEGA of America

It’s contents are pretty much self-explanatory

//**9. At one point you received some interest from a major studio (Starz). How did this come about and what caused it to fall through? How did you approach the outline and scripting process, and when did you begin work on the actual treatment? Who, if anyone, assisted you with the planning and writing?**// Upon receiving Rob’s email, I immediately began the pre-development stage of the film. I posted classifieds on Craigslist and even signed up for a paid subscription on IMDb Pro. The latter was a treasure trove of Hollywood contacts. Agents, Actors, Producers, Directors, Studios at my disposal. It was about a couple weeks before the emails and phone calls started rolling in. However, I did the bravest move. I accepted the first person that contacted me and it was by email. He was a surprisingly young producer, no older than myself and he expressed an interest in my film. We started exchanging emails for a week before I heard a voice on the other end. Amazingly he informed of his insider connections with a Starz Media (formally IDT Entertainment.) I recognized the name since they were the same company that worked on The Simpsons and it seemed reasonable to go with a studio that’s reputable. On my producer’s request, he instructed me to sketch out a treatment that would be our main selling point. What came next, was unprecedented. He assigned me a co-writer and it turned out to be close buddy of his. My producer felt we would make a good team……or so I thought. The main issues I had with my writing partner, was that he wasn’t a Sonic fan or familiar with the franchise. It was aggravating when I had to explain to him simple facts that even the novice of Sonic fans know. In midst of the writing process, I tried to reason with my producer and convince him that this co-writer isn’t panning out and I would prefer go it alone or be teamed up with someone competent of the Sonicverse.

Friction was sparked between everyone involved, and I was put in a precarious position. I knew our squabbling would result in nothing; causing my producer to leave. So, I bit the bullet and made amends with my co-writer, allowing him creative liberties just so I can get the damn thing written. When it was finally completed on thanksgiving, my reaction was less than satisfied. I was very skeptical about it being submitted and I begged for revisions. Such a confliction. If I ignited any fire between these two inept jokers, my chances of pitching to the studio would be lost. So, I kept my mouth shut and let my producer do the rest. A days later, I received a CCed rejection email from Starz about how thee story was unstructured. I concurred. Despite the grammatical and spelling errors, the story was an incoherent mess. The character’s personalities were mismatched and the setting was too light hearted. To me, it was something to add to the trash bin. After ditching that abomination, I made my actions clear with my producer and co-writer and parted ways.

//**10. There was talk of this being a trilogy of films if successful. Can you give us a brief overview of the films' stories and how they would have progressed? Do you have any plans to script the other two stories in the future?**//

I remember venting my anger one day on a Sonic message board regarding a topic on how there’s too many characters in the franchise. Seriously, the imagination employed with Sonic Team is baffling. They create a new character in every new game, and assume that everyone will accept it. The majority of them are basically Sonic clones with a palette swap while some mimic the moves and attitude of previously established characters. Some serve the purpose of giving Sonic depth and some just occupy space. It’s insane! From my assessment, cramming hundreds of characters into a 120 minute film was unorthodox, so it seemed logical to split the story up into three installments; using characters that are worthy of screen time. I spent probably a given month listing all the characters that exist in the Sonicverse and selected the ones that radiate personality. Writing three films would give me more ground to cover by using references from the games, comics, and cartoons. I laid out everything using a chronological method; meaning that I’d start from the 16-bit games and work my way up to where Sonic’s current state is at. For example, the first film would elaborate on Sonic’s origin. How a young mischievous hedgehog learns to deal with his gift of speed by overcoming obstacles, confronting his demons (mental/physical), and meeting new friends to help him on his journey. Each installment would advance the story and ultimately have Sonic rise to power from his adventures. Similar to how Luke Skywalker became a Jedi.

Pertaining to the scripts, I only have one finished First Draft of the first installment and a trilogy outline that gives a brief synopsis of the entire saga. There are no plans at this time on continuing the other two scripts, but I am not ruling out the possibility of it happening.

//**11. What characters did you have planned for the first film and the rest of the trilogy?**//

There's a plethora of characters that’s for sure, but as I previous mentioned, I only selected the pick of the litter. Plus this list displays the references used from the games, comics, and cartoons.


 * Character Cast and Franchise References**

Sonic the Hedgehog Charles Hedgehog (Uncle Chuck) Miles “Tails” Prower Princess Sally Acorn King Max Acorn Queen Alicia Acorn Bunnie Fields (Bunnie Rabbot) Metal Sonic Dr Ivo Kintobor (Dr. Robotnik)
 * First Installment**
 * ( Sonic**
 * 1, Sonic 2, Sonic 3, Sonic CD, 90’s cartoon, Archie Comics )**

Sonic the Hedgehog Charles Hedgehog (Uncle Chuck) Miles “Tails” Prower Princess Sally Acorn Bunnie Fields (Bunnie Rabbot) Dr Ivo Kintobor (Dr. Robotnik)
 * Second Installment**
 * ( Sonic**
 * & Knuckles, Chaotix, Sonic Adventure, 90’s cartoon, Archie Comics )**
 * Rotor “Boomer” Walrus**
 * Knuckles the Echidna**
 * The Chaotix**
 * ( Charmy**
 * Bee, Vector Crocodile, Espio Chameleon, Mighty Armadillio )**

Comics )
 * Third Installment**
 * (Sonic Adventure 2, 90’s cartoon,**

Sonic the Hedgehog Charles Hedgehog (Uncle Chuck) Miles “Tails” Prower Princess Sally Acorn King Max Acorn Rotor “Boomer” Walrus Knuckles the Echidna The Chaotix ( Charmy Bee, Vector Crocodile, Espio Chameleon, Mighty Armadillio ) Bunnie Fields (Bunnie Rabbot) Dr Ivo Kintobor (Dr. Robotnik)
 * Amy Rose Hedgehog**
 * Rouge the Bat**
 * Shadow the Hedgehog**

//**12. In early 2007 you hooked up with a small local studio that expressed interest in your project. Things got a bit out of hand when you let too much information out on your personal web sites and the SMS forums, leading to the story being posted on Sonic Stadium's Sonic News. The site contacted Sega of Europe for confirmation, who then contacted Sega of America, leading to a bit of a harsh e-mail from your associate at licensing stating that they had not yet relinquished any legal rights to you. You received a lot of flak from the fanbase for this situation, with many people labeling you and your project a "hoax." Can you clarify what happened there and talk a bit about the studio you were working with?**//

I believe it was the day after New Years that I crossed paths with a “studio” that was conveniently located in my area. They responded to the original ad I posted on Cragislist and were more over zealous about the project than Starz. We ended up meeting at Starbucks and built a fast rapport with each other in the four hours we talked. Since the treatment was rejected at last studio, all I brought was my enthusiasm. As I described my film, they were confident in my goals and didn’t see the reason to ask for anything on paper yet. We shook hands, exchanged contact info, and hatched a game plan. The head executive (as he called himself) frequently sent me phases I was to follow. Phase 1. Write a script. Phase 2. Recruit illustrators Phase 3. Pitch to Sega. Their idea was to put a package together and market it to Sega. With a solid script and visuals to display, they were optimistic that they would instantly approve it. And so I put my nose to the grindstone. Less than a month, I managed to complete a 130 page screenplay.

I was in euphoric daze when it was finished and properly alerted my newfound colleagues. For reasons unknown, their communication stopped. I tried contacting them for days, but no response. Finally, in late January, they dropped a bomb on me that would place their integrity and professionalism into question. One of the guys phoned me and said their business wasn’t generating a stable profit, and they had to resort to drastic measures. I didn’t understand their reasoning behind this, but they advised me to broadcast the project on my RK Dezignz site. stating that I’ve partnered with their studio on the big budget feature, Sonic the Hedgehog. I was hesitant to abide, knowing that Sega has yet to relinquish the rights, and I doubt they would without even reading some kind of outline. They only sent a syllabus of what they required of me BEFORE they can even consider it. Since the so called studio was losing money, they inferred that announcing their cinematic intentions would increase traffic to their company. It later turned out that the “studio” was actually two guys running a similar operation as me. Oh the deception.

Desperate at the time, I really wanted a studio to stay with my project no matter the circumstances (yes, it was bad judgment on my part). So, I obliged to their demand and the rest you know. Only a few hours past before I noticed that the Sonic community was plastered with duplicated posts from my official website. As I tried to act as damage control, it only threw more gasoline on the fire. People fabricated their own stories and even went through great lengths to post fake scripts and fake artwork. Rumors, turned into exaggerations and the whole thing was a misunderstood clusterfuck. Sonic Stadium was the first to make a public article about the leaked information and deemed it a hoax from the “reliable” testimony they received, especially by one ignorant Sonic fan who will remain nameless. So, it was strike 2 for the project. I departed from the “studio” and moved on.

//**13. Over the last year or so you worked with an experienced agent from a professional Hollywood entertainment group/talent agency, and this is when things really seemed to take off and progress rapidly. Tell us about this group, how you got involved with them, and what it was like working together and traveling to Hollywood studios to pitch your ideas. What about your project do you think got their attention?**//

IMDb Pro is such a wonderful source or did I already mention that? I received an email late March from a talent agency who were dedicated in brining my dream to fruition. The main reason is that Hollywood is currently on the nostalgia bandwagon; rejuvenating pop culture icons from the 80s/90s. Sonic being a 90s staple was their safe harbor in pursuing film adaptation, since the concept has never been done. It’s a cash cow, and its strange how after 16 years Sonic has yet to receive the big screen treatment. So with obvious reasons at hand, it wasn’t long until a verbal conversation occurred. I explained to them my situation and the mistakes that were made in the previous months. They’re attitude was friendly, courteous, accommodating, and real. By that I mean they were not putting on a nice-guy façade. They honestly believed in my screenplay so much that they asked me if I had anything else associated with the film. After I showed them the visuals, they shoved a contract under my nose and said “let’s do this.”


 * //14. You pitched to quite a few major Hollywood studios in 2007. Can you tell us what it was like pitching for these guys? Was it as bad as everyone says? How did you prepare for the pitches and what did your presentations consist of? Who exactly did you pitch to, and what kind of a general reception did you get?//**

I never expected how quickly things were going to progress. I signed an optioned agreement with my agent(s), stipulating my compensation for each film that would I write. You know, all the fun legal stuff relating to royalties and box office sales. In early June of last year, they managed to schedule a pitch presentation at FOX Entertainment and they wanted me to arrive a day prior for rehearsal. The next morning, I was a nervous wreck. I paced around my hotel room frantically retaining the my memorized speech. But then, mother nature was knocking on my backdoor and her visit wasn’t a pleasant one. I could barely keep my breakfast down and all had to ingest was Pepto Bismol and a bottle of water. I hailed a cab and I was on my way to the studio lot. I congregated with my agent(s) who I found lounging at the food court. I gathered my materials and we were escorted to the animation department. We sat down in a cramped little board room; setting up our posters and compiling our documents. It was nothing like what I predicted. I pictured a large auditorium where I had to stand in front a podium, while these enormous bright lights shinned on me would accentuate the beads of sweet that were pouring down. laughs lets begin once you all feel comfortable.” That moment, I realized that I was in a welcoming environment that alleviating my apprehension. I took a sip of water, built up my confidence, and regaled everyone with my tale of Sonic the Hedgehog.
 * Anyway, a woman entered the room and placed a notebook on the table. She politely introduced herself, offered us a beverage or snack and said “

The reaction was positive. As I was articulating, the woman continued to write down notes. This is actually a good sign, cause I learned that if a studio writes notes during a pitch, it means they like it. After I concluded, she asked me addition questions and made some evaluations. To be blunt, she loved the concept and was itching to get Sega on the phone to hammer out the negotiations. It was a victory. My agent(s) had low expectations of me since it was my first Hollywood presentation and they emphatically explained that “I nailed it.” Though the meeting was a success, my agent(s) suggested that we should cover more territory as an added contingency. Their idea was that, in order to maintain a garden, you must plant the seeds in the necessary spots. A logical statement, and soon enough I found myself constantly traveling to LA in the summer. We landed an opportunity at Dreamworks, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. Pretty much the same song and dance as FOX, but Dreamworks had constructive criticism to offer *cynical smile* They would accept the movie, if I stripped away the compelling story, the epic tone, and emotional drama to a dumbed down G rated, mediocre comedy. Imagine my chagrin. Dreamworks wanted to basically transform Sonic into Shrek and I refused to let that happen. The last thing we need, is another CGI trainwreck filled with flatulence and celebrity related jokes. I wouldn’t say I was stubborn, just protective of Sonic’s dignity and this studio did not sit right with me. An automatic pass on my part.

//**15. After a series of pitches with major Hollywood studios, you ended up meeting with DiC. How did that get setup? Tell us about your visit to their headquarters, the pitch itself, and how the team there responded. Was there mention of SatAM and any of its writers or original crew? Did DiC have anything interesting to say about their current relationship with Sega of America and/or Sega of Japan?**//

Out of all the studios visited, DiC Entertainment was like entering an amusement park. The exterior is a clever camouflage, cause from outside it looks like a typical cold sterile office building. But once you enter, it’s a whole different dimension. The fluorescent color schemes, the variety of DiC characters elegantly framed and hung on the walls. They even have their store! A very playful atmosphere I must say, almost like Chuck E Cheese *laughs covering nearly most of the major studios in Hollywood, I actually suggested to my agent(s) that we should try DiC Entertainment. They have a strong background with Sonic and I assumed they still had a contract with Sega knowing of the recent DVD box sets of the 90s cartoons that were released. My agent(s) didn’t see the harm in that, and in September I met up with the chief executive there. It was a cosmic feeling to be in the same building that delivered quality entertainment during my childhood, and it was one of the first compliments that I blurted out. We had a good time reminiscing on Sonic cartoons. The subject of SatAM was always in close dialogue, especially when he talked about Len Jansen who directed the show. Ben Hurst or Pat Alee were rarely in discussion for some reason. I entertained the idea to him about somehow bringing Mr. Jansen on board cause I felt he would be able to steer the film in the proper direction. He agreed and said he’ll try to contact him. After that, we detoured and got down to business. As with every studio in Hollywood thus far, he was no exception in praising my Sonic film. What really escalated the meeting was how it changed into a job interview. He was so impressed with my writing prose, that he offered me a position there as a cartoon writer. My self-esteem shot higher than ever before. My hard work was finally being recognized and in Hollywood for that matter. The movie met his approval and said hell be in close contact with me regarding Sega’s decision. However in the remaining time we had during our meeting, he couldn’t promise anything since Sega’s marketing rights has been under tight restrictions when franchise was given a facelift in 1999. In all effort, he said he’ll try to investigate the current situation and see what can be done.
 * After

//**16. What voice talent were you considering? Did you ever make any progress towards contacting any of the actors in question?**// Since the central characters of my film were conceived from the SatAM cartoon, it felt right for the original voice actors to reprise their roles. I recall watching the SatAM DVD box set I purchased this spring, and the Jaleel White interview really tugged at my heartstrings. He seemed so passionate about his character and the mark he left in Sonic history, that he openly admitted that he would love to voice Sonic again. I find that part of the DVD very emotional and it conveys the true caring nature of a professional actor. The stars must of aligned cause one of my agents personally knew Jaleel. I was however debating about Ryan Drummond, since his delivery in the Sonic Adventure games were believable and full of energy, oppose to the abysmal, wooden acting of Jason Griffith. However since this a film that’s resurrecting the franchise, Jaleel would be appropriate to cast as Sonic by emulating his glory days. As for the rest of the characters, I wanted to bring back voice talent that was prominent during the “90s animation renaissance.” This would include Kath Soucie, Christine Cavanaugh, and Jim Cummings. Tails would have to be recasted since the voice actor who played him, Brad Pierce is around my age, and would seem unrealistic to voice a 10 year old boy. Christine, who played Bunnie in SatAM retired from voice acting so that was another character that needed recasting. In our efforts, my agent(s) confirmed to me that Jaleel White and Academy Awarding Actress, Reece Witherspoon were signed on. After listening to her sample work, I can agree that she would’ve been able to fill Christine’s shoes and evolve into a next-gen Bunnie. Pertaining the scenes where Sonic and his friends are kids, I wanted real child actors to fit the roll and gender. Tails of course would be no exception.

//**17. What type of music (if any) did you have in mind for the film? Did you want melodies from the games and SatAM, or did you have something original in mind?**//

I’ve always been a music enthusiast with eclectic taste. With Sonic being in the category of sci-fi/fantasy I visualized a specific tone that correlates to the overall atmosphere of the film and the relevance it held with the individual characters. From a marketing perspective, I wanted musicians that are internationally popular. Their success would genuinely push appeal; bringing fans of the artists into theaters. The soundtrack, if my control, would be a nice balance of the ethereal, whimsical genre; transporting the viewer into this visually, engaging world. For the background score, I can see The London Symphony Orchestra for those intense moments or Enya during scenes of affection. Overall, the mood would emote an angelic and docile theme. I think it would’ve been interesting if a well known band performed a cover of “fastest thing alive” or even the classic instrumental Sonic theme. Now, I realize that music is subjective so I hope no one takes offense to the bands that I had in mind.

**Sonic the Hedgehog Soundtrack**


 * friends of mine that agreed to contribute**


 * Green Day - cover of "Fastest Thing Alive"**
 * Foo Fighters**
 * Weezer**
 * Audrye Sessions***
 * Hanalei** *
 * White Stripes**
 * Shins**
 * Radiohead**
 * Killers**
 * Decemberists**
 * Arcade** **Fire**
 * Doves**
 * Eisley**
 * Belle & Sebastian**
 * Polyphonic Spree**
 * Modest Mouse**
 * Interpol**
 * Flaming Lips**

//**18. For the curious, what was the final intended format of the film (2D, 3D, Live Action) and why?**//

I exhausted all the possibilities. A CGI/live action movie; of course that’s when I saw the premiere of Phantom Menace and thought it was the next leap in filmmaking. As years elapsed, I gradually noticed how synthetic and eerie it is to have CGI characters interacting with real humans. Have you seen that Alvin in the Chipmunks movie? Geez, if that’s not nightmare inducing then I don’t know what is. So then I meandered around 2D animation. It’s a format that’s been neglected this decade and there’s been signs of its comeback. The Simpsons movie proved to be a success so I don’t see why animation has to be restricted to one format. Plus there’s a certain soul and essence to it that a computer has yet to replicate. My favorite animated film is Secret of NIMH and I still get chills watching it to this day. Though I think a marriage of 2D animation and CGI effects would have registered with me. It worked for Futurama.

//**19. While most of the work was on your shoulders, this wasn't a completely solo endeavor, as I understand that several other fans were involved in addition to the agency that you worked with. Who else worked with you, particularly on the artistic side of things, and how did that come about? How far did the art get?**//

Months prior from writing the treatment, I was browsing through internet art galleries trying to recruit some artists. I always admired fan art, especially when it held relevance to anything Sonic. Among the thousands of creative talent I scoured through on DeviantArt, a few people in particular captured my interest. For confidentionality, they have requested not be revealed. Words can not describe on how great their style is and I didn’t wait any longer to make my proposal. Early 2007, I had them design the model sheets for the central characters. I must say that everyone that participated created aesthetically pleasing artwork. The attention to detail, their knowledge of basic humanized anatomy is what made them stand out. I’ll even all out and say they exude talent from very orifice of their being. *smiles With everything going accordingly, Rog managed to complete all the characters within two months, leaving me fully prepared for my trips to Hollywood.


 * //20. In the end, you wound up with both DiC and another major movie distribution company ready to back Sonic if negotiations with Sega of Japan were successful. It seemed like an airtight win-win situation. Tell us how this happened, and where things went from there in the last couple months. What was your follow-up communication like with DiC, Universal, Sega, and your agency?//**

With DiC attached to the project, my agent(s) resumed their contacts with other major studios. The last one I met up with, was Universal Pictures. I'll spare the details cause its basically the same reaction all the studios displayed. Only difference, is that Universal didn’t have to deliberate. While we were still awaiting the verdict from FOX and such, DiC and Universal approved the concept on the spot, allowing the project to proceed to the next stage. Throughout October, my agents continued to touch base with me via email and updating me on their progress. Finally, the decision was settled. Universal was going to act as the distributor while DiC would handle the films production. Everything seemed to be falling into place, until the flood of responses became dry. It was now mid-November, and nobody has heard ANYTHING from Sega. I was curious since the arsenal we built couldn’t be matched by anyone. We had two reputable studios, merging to bring Sonic to the big screen, yet Sega’s permission was still pending. The on-going writers strike auspiciously didn’t affect animation or video games, so that reason was eliminated. I was drowning in a sea of confusion. Nary a response from either DiC , Universal or my agents had any follow ups. I just couldn’t sit idly by doing nothing, so I decided to take matters in my hands.

//**21. How did you come to discover that Sega was in talks with another third party about a feature film, and how did you and the other parties involved take the news?**//

During the first week December, I composed a physical letter that was mailed out to Sega of Japan. I figured that Sega of America would only expedite the delay on their response, so cutting out the middleman I went straight to the head honcho overseas. Direct verification was the key factor in getting this film off the ground, but sadly their response would spell the end of the long arduous journey I’ve traveled. Here’s their email in full:

// Original Message -//

//**From: Takeuchi,Yukari,Character Prod,SOJ**// //**To: richk@rkdezignz.com**// //**Cc: Sasaki,Emi,Character Prod,SOJ ; Seno,Hiroshi,Character Prod,SOJ ; Kodama,Miwa,Character Prod,SOJ**// //**Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 1:31 AM**// //**Subject: Treatment: Sonic the Hedgehog movie**//


 * Dear Mr. Richard Kuta,**
 * Your letter dated December 7, 2007 together with the treatment entitled "Sonic the Hedgehog: the Secret of the Chaos Emeralds" has been forwarded to our department, as we, Character Business and Licensing Department, handle licensing of the film rights based on our properites.**

I regret to inform you that we are already in talks with a third party for a production of the Sonic feature. We often receive an interesting offer for the Sonic movies whether directly or through Sega of America. As we are bound by the confidentiality clause in the agreement, we cannot reveal the name of our partner at this point.


 * In any event, we will return your treatment via air courier.**


 * Thank you for your attention and understanding, and we wish you a good luck with a future project.**

//**Yukari Takeuchi**// //**Character Business and Licensing**// //**SEGA**//
 * Best regards,**

Everyone was devastated when I broke the news. It didn’t seem fair considering all the hard work, money, and time donated into this project. Plus most of the expenses came from my own pocket so it really hit me hard.

On May 6, 2008, I recieved another response that my agent originally submitted. Note he requested to have his info removed due to privacy concerns. // Original Message -// //From:// //Takeuchi,Yukari,Character Prod,SOJ// //To: [EDITED]// //Cc:// //Richard Kuta// //; [EDITED]// //Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 11:38 PM// //Subject: RE: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG//


 * Dear [EDITED]**
 * Thank you for your mail. I believe the project you are referring to is the same one as Mr. Richard Kuta told me back in December 2007. At that time, I clearly explained him the status of the Sonic feature project. I am very surprised to receive your mail after almost 6 months.**
 * Please note that the status remains the same as I told Mr. Kuta in December. I am sorry to inform you that we can do nothing for you.**
 * Thank you again for your attention and understanding.**
 * Best regards,**
 * Yukari Takeuchi**
 * SEGA**

//**22. Although Sega is keeping mum, any personal guesses on who this third party is and why you hadn't heard about them until now? Any chance you got short changed by one of the studios you pitched at, or that you said to much and someone else beat you to the punch?**// DiC confirmed to me that it wasn’t them, so it left everyone wondering who this mystery studio was. I can make speculations all I want, but my assumption would be either the company that recently dealt with Sega’s cartoon, Sonic X. TMS Entertainment or 4Kids Entertainment. I know 4Kids is a dubbing company, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they were somehow involved. It’s hard to answer to something so vague as this. It can really be anyone, so my advice is just be patient and wait till Sega jumps on their soapbox. It could be Sonic X the movie or something completely fresh. Whatever it is, I hope it does the Sonic franchise justice. Given their current reputation, I stand by my pessimism.

//**23. Now that the project is essentially dead in the water, what would you say to someone who says "I told you so," cries "hoax," or thinks you never had a shot from the beginning? After all, this was your first attempt at breaking into the film business.**//

For nearly 8 years, I’ve been working as a homebound freelancer for local bands and small companies. As rewarding as the position is, I never pictured myself doing this for the rest of my life. I needed to somehow break away from this regiment and experiment outside of the music industry. I was always behind a camera or a computer and I wanted to expand on something I was passionate about. Failure is something I’m currently dealing with, cause I never pursued a project of this magnitude before and was so certain that I would achieve this goal. I will say in my defeat, that it never hurts to go beyond limits and push the boundaries of your creativity. Don’t bottle up your ambitions. Explore every avenue of your talent. Someone will take notice as long as you have the motivation. If you fail, take it as a learning experience and make improvements of yourself. People can speak ill of me all they want, but at least I tried to do something for the community instead of sitting around. The Sonic chapter may have ended, but I’m not closing book just yet.

24. You decided to release some of your materials as fanwork. Can you tell us about that? What would you like to see happen from here on out? Are you considering a fan-film if things do not pan out?

Absolutely. The comments I’ve been receiving are overwhelming. Most of them show their gratitude insinuating that I shouldn’t give up which is the type of support that keeps my spirit high. The entire point of this film was to create a Sonic movie that fans of all ages would enjoy. Now that all the materials related to the scrapped project are freely available, it’s important to me to receive feedback after all the trouble I went through in the past few years. Is there room for improvement? Do you feel it was well executed? Does it completely suck ass? Voice your thoughts guys, cause this film was intended for you. I am contemplating on other alternatives such a comic, or even a flash animated film. It would be a feasible route to take since I wouldn’t have to deal with any legalities from Sega or anyone else. Fan films are made all the time and exist on such sites as Newgrounds and Atom Films. As long as nobody profits from them, I don’t see the problem in this option. The directors helm would be in my control and I would ensure that the people who participate do their job. I’ve witnessed so many fan projects crash and burn without even taking off, and for once I want to see them ascend from the launching pad. The foundation is all the there, it just needs the right construction crew to complete it. However, there's still a slight chance that we'll see this script transfer on the big screen. Keep your fingers crossed.

//**25. Anything else you'd like to say before we close?**//

Sonic fans are a colorful bunch and I can secure my conjecture that the fan base will continue to remain on their separate islands. I attempted to unify a segregated fan base, but obviously Sega of Japan is stuck on their own island (literally too ha). Bearing that they made their intentions clear, I can take comfort in the fact that at least a Sonic movie IS being made. It’s what every respectful Sonic fan has been clamoring for. And yes, I am aware that a movie was made nearly a decade ago, but to finally clarify, it’s NOT a movie. Just two anime episodes sliced together. What I find perplexing, is that my agent recently investigated SOJ's plans and it turns out NOTHING is really happening. So, now were left to question SOJ's intentions. Do they really have a third party company that’s more inclined to the current SegaSonic universe (i.e. Sonic X or something similar)? Or were they feeding us hogwash cause they're apprehensive of the "make or break" outcome of a theatrical film? My reasons are actually with the latter. On the other hand, they seem really committed to their "third party" company since they claim to be under contract. So, its really uncertain on whats happening on the SOJ camp. **Then again, my agent did some investigation this past January regarding Sega's movie and reported that** they have nothing planned . Not sure whats up with that, but that does put Sega's intergity into question after all my crew and I went through. In summation, I appreciate the fans for keeping Sonic on life support, my friends, family and all the people that assisted me with the project. We built strong memories together this year and it was the greatest of honor working with you all. You know who you are ;)

……….. Rest in peace Robert Leffler**,** former Licesning Manager Sega of America

videos: Trailer Redux Coming Soon!

media type="youtube" key="J_baYPQxT-s?fs=1" height="385" width="640"media type="custom" key="4928429" width="134" height="116"