In a clever display of self-awareness, the TikTok account for the Sonic the Hedgehog movies shared a heartfelt video addressing recent criticism about Shrek’s new design in Shrek 5 while offering support with a friendly gesture.
The video humorously advised, “Any green ogres seeking guidance, pay attention,” showcasing Sonic’s transformation from his widely criticized initial design to the now-adored faithful representation of the iconic video game character.
The Redesign of Sonic
In a rare moment in cinematic history, fan outrage led to a positive outcome. The original design of Sonic was widely panned for its unsettling features—disproportionately small eyes and an unnervingly prominent set of teeth—that shocked longtime fans.
As a result, production on the first Sonic movie was temporarily halted, allowing for a redesign that better aligned with fan expectations. Without this change, we might not have seen the release of two sequels, a Knuckles spin-off, and the exciting development of Sonic 4.
What About Shrek?
Given the backlash surrounding Shrek 5, it remains uncertain whether DreamWorks will take a similar approach and adjust the film’s direction based on fan feedback.
There’s still plenty of time before Shrek 5 hits theaters on December 23, 2026. This timeline offers more flexibility than what the Sonic team had, as their redesign, announced on May 19, 2019, pushed the film’s release from November 8, 2019, to February 14, 2020.
Perhaps Shrek will emerge from his outhouse to the familiar tune of Smash Mouth, looking just as we remember him. Until then, here’s a curated list of the best animated films outside of Disney, featuring characters that, thankfully, look just right.
