This article was originally written for TheNintendoVillage.com, a website I founded and ran from 2018 to 2021.

Sonic Mania was widely praised a huge return to form for the blue blur, who’s more recent games had been a little on the underwhelming side. So when Paramount decided they were going to redesign Sonic following fan backlash over the initial movie trailer, there was only one chap for the job.

The chap in question is one Tyson Hesse. He’d previously created Sonic Mania’s killer opening animation (as well as some associated shorts), and he’s now revealed via Twitter that he did indeed lead the team that revamped Sonic for the upcoming film.

Honored to have been brought in to lead the design on the new Movie Sonic. Working with Jeff and the modelers, riggers, texture/fur artists and animators in LA, London, and Vancouver was a thrill I'll never forget. #SonicMovie pic.twitter.com/HhcVIxAhXB
— Tyson Hesse (@tyson_hesse) November 12, 2019

His pedigree has clearly helped turn the film around, with fans much happier with yesterday’s new trailer. The comparison with the original model really hammers home just how great a job Hesse, and the rest of the team at Paramount, have done.

Here’s the trailer again for those that missed it:

Source: Twitter