Sonic The Hedgehog director says SEGA character design will be 'fixed' after fan backlash

'Thank you for the support. And the criticism'

When the trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog was released earlier this week, the internet recoiled.

The adorable video-game mascot had been transformed into a monstrous CGI concoction; a hedgehog/human hybrid with terrifying teeth. The backlash was immediate, with social media users lampooning the design.

Jeff Fowler, the director of Sonic the Hedgehog, has heard those cries of disdain and has promised to change the character’s design.

“Thank you for the support,” Fowler wrote on Twitter. ”And the criticism. The message is loud and clear... you aren’t happy with the design and you want changes.

“It’s going to happen. Everyone at Paramount and Sega are fully committed to making this character the BEST he can be... #Sonicmovie #Gottafixfast.”

How exactly Sonic’s design will be changed remains a mystery, though the animators will likely take a few cues from Detective Pikachu, the upcoming Pokémon adaptation that impressed fans with its realistic version of the beloved eponymous creature.

Sonic The Hedgehog, which stars Ben Schwartz and Jim Carrey, is based on the 1991 video game of the same name. Schwartz will voice Sonic, while Carrey will play his nemesis, Dr Robotnik.