Sega was prepared to discontinue the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise entirely before the success of the first live-action film in 2020, according to Sonic chief creative officer Takashi Iizuka. He revealed in an interview with One More Game that the franchise had experienced significant lows, and higher-ups at Sega had instructed him to cancel the series.
Iizuka stated that he had to actively advocate within the company to preserve the franchise. "During the worst times, I was told by the higher-ups that we should cancel the entire franchise. I had to fight within the organization to keep the franchise as long as possible," he said. The critical and commercial reception of the 2017 game Sonic Mania had demonstrated renewed interest in the character, but this was followed by poorly received titles such as Sonic Forces in the same year.
The 2020 movie, despite initial controversy over Sonic's character design, proved to be a significant hit with both fans and a broader audience. This success reportedly shifted the franchise's trajectory, leading to plans for a fourth movie in 2027 and a new animated series on Netflix. Iizuka emphasized that Sega's core principle remains grounding all transmedia efforts in the video games themselves.
However, the game side of the franchise continues to be a point of contention for fans. While remasters like Shadow Generations have been well-received, mobile titles like Sonic Dream Team have drawn criticism, particularly regarding their exclusivity on platforms like Apple Arcade. The future of the franchise's gaming relevance may hinge on the success of a potential Sonic Frontiers 2. The first game's move to an open-world format was divisive among critics but established a new direction for Sega, though the sequel has not yet been officially confirmed.