Discover how one of the most dramatic scenes in the new release was changed, but managed to keep all the emotion of ‘Sonic 3’
As a Christmas gift to fans, ‘Sonic 3’ premiered on December 25th in all cinemas around the world, bringing back the fastest blue hedgehog on the planet in a new and exciting adventure. With the addition of new characters and more action than ever before, the film promises to win over longtime fans and attract new generations of viewers. However, there is a central element of the plot that many have been eagerly awaiting: the introduction of Shadow, the dark anti-hero who has captured the hearts of admirers since his first appearance.
The new sequel would also not be complete if it didn’t revisit the tragic relationship between Shadow and Maria Robotnik, one of the most emotional and sad moments in the series. For fans of the games, the connection between these two characters, shown in the iconic ‘Sonic Adventure 2’, is unforgettable, as the granddaughter of scientist Gerald Robotnik forms a bond of friendship with Shadow while he is being used in scientific experiments.
However, fate brutally separates her when GUN attacks the research base, and Maria is shot by a soldier while trying to help Shadow escape, leaving him devastated and marking the beginning of his journey as the antihero who we know.
[CUIDADO! O TEXTO A SEGUIR CONTÉM SPOILERS DE ‘SONIC 3’]
When bringing this story to the big screen in ‘Sonic 3’, the filmmakers faced a huge challenge: how to adapt such an emotional and, at the same time, sensitive plot for a family audience, while maintaining the essence of what makes Shadow and Maria’s story so impactful? Choosing how to portray Mary’s death was one of the biggest obstacles. In the game, her death is violent and brutal, with a soldier shooting her. However, for the film, an important change was made: instead of being shot, Maria dies in an explosion during a GUN attack.
Why was Maria’s death different in ‘Sonic 3’?
The reason for this change was discussed by the screenwriters Josh Miller and Pat Casey in interviews. According to them, a shooting death was never a viable option for a film rated general audience (PG). Miller explained that the idea of having a child shot in the middle of an already tense and emotional plot seemed like a very difficult step for the tone of the film, which needs to be accessible for the whole family.
From the moment we started talking about how to do this, everyone was like, well, ‘I don’t think we can just shoot a little girl.’ It’s going to be hard enough to have an entire plot that depends on a little girl being killed in this PG movie, but having her shot seemed like it was never in the cards.”
Despite that, Casey recognizes that ‘Sonic 3’ is still an action-packed film, the most intense in the series so far. The solution was to tone down Maria’s death, turning it into an explosion that, while still tragic, is less graphic and less disturbing for younger audiences. This was one of the creative tricks used to keep the film within the PG rating parameters, ensuring that the film was exciting without crossing the line into excessive violence.
The filmmakers also highlighted that although the film was made to be family-friendly, it still deals with intense themes and action moments. “It’s a very difficult PG”, he says Caseypointing out that the main maneuver was to avoid the use of real weapons. Instead, the characters use tasers, lasers and energy weapons, which allows the film to stay within its classification without losing the intensity of the action scenes.
So, although the film adaptation of ‘Sonic 3’ required adjustments to the way Shadow and Maria’s story was presented, the filmmakers managed to balance respect for the original plot with the need to create an accessible film for the whole family. The heart of the story remains intact, and Maria’s death, although altered, remains a pivotal moment for the villain’s motivation. It’s a creative choice that will undoubtedly spark discussion among fans, but it also ensures that the new Sonic sequel is a film that everyone can enjoy.
Read also: Who is and what are the powers of Shadow, the character from ‘Sonic 3’?
Source: Recreio
