Jeff Fowleris an American film director and animator. He is best known for directing the live-action adaptations ofSonic the Hedgehog(2020), its sequelsSonic the Hedgehog 2(2022), and the upcomingSonic the Hedgehog 3(2024).[1][2]He also wrote and directed the short filmGopher Broke(2004), which was nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Animated Short Film.[3][4]

Jeff Fowler
Alma materRingling College of Art and Design
Occupations
  • Film director
  • animator
Years active2002–present

Career

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Fowler was an animator for the 2003 short filmRockfishand the 2009 filmWhere the Wild Things Are.In 2004, he wrote, directed, storyboarded, did the art layout, and animatedGopher Broke.He also wrote and animatedA Gentleman's Duel.Fowler worked on the CGI movie production for the 2005 video gameShadow the Hedgehog.

Later, he directedSonic the Hedgehog,a film based on the video game seriesof the same name.The film was originally set to release in November 2019, but due to widespread criticism towardSonic's design, it was delayed to February 14, 2020, to change the design. The new design for Sonic was revealed in November 2019, garnering far more positive responses from fans and critics. Fowler directed a sequel toSonic the HedgehogtitledSonic the Hedgehog 2,which released on April 8, 2022. He is set to direct a reboot ofThe Pink Panther,which is in development.[5]He directed the pilot episode and executive-produced the TV seriesKnuckles,and directedSonic the Hedgehog 3,which is slated for release in December 2024.

Filmography

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Director

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Short film

Year Title Notes
2004 Gopher Broke Also writer, storyboard artist, layout artist, and animator

Feature film

Year Title Notes
2020 Sonic the Hedgehog
2022 Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Also cameo as news reporter (deleted scene)
2024 Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Television

Year Title Notes
2024 Knuckles Miniseries
Episode "The Warrior";
Also executive producer

Other credits

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Short film

Year Title Role
2003 Rockfish Animator
2006 A Gentlemen's Duel Writer and animator

Video game

Year Title Role
2005 Shadow the Hedgehog CGI movie production[6]

Film

Year Title Role
2009 Where the Wild Things Are Animation research and development

References

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  1. ^Amidi, Amid (May 2, 2019)."'Sonic the Hedgehog' Director Jeff Fowler Says Sonic Will Be Re-Designed ".Cartoon Brew.RetrievedFebruary 25,2023.
  2. ^Ames, Jeff (February 11, 2020)."Sonic The Hedgehog Director Jeff Fowler on Redesigning Sonic".ComingSoon.net.RetrievedFebruary 25,2023.
  3. ^"2005 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences".Oscars.org.October 5, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 25,2023.Short Film (Animated) (...) Gopher Broke - Jeff Fowler and Tim Miller
  4. ^Short Film Winners: 2005 Oscars,Oscars.org,February 19, 2015,retrievedFebruary 25,2023
  5. ^Gonzalez, Umberto (November 19, 2020)."Jeff Fowler to Direct Live-Action CGI-Hybrid 'Pink Panther' for MGM".TheWrap.RetrievedAugust 28,2024.
  6. ^Sega Studios USA(November 15, 2005).Shadow the Hedgehog(GameCube,PlayStation 2,Xbox).SEGA.Scene: Staff credits.
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