Jeff Fowler

Last updated
Jeff Fowler
Alma mater Ringling College of Art and Design
Occupations
  • Filmmaker
  • animator
  • visual effect artist
Years active2002–present

Jeff Fowler is an American filmmaker, animator, and visual effects artist. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film as writer and director of the short film Gopher Broke (2004). [1] [2] He made his theatrical directorial debut with the live-action adaptation of Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), and returned to direct the sequels Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) and the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024). [3] [4]

Contents

Career

Fowler was an animator for the 2003 short film Rockfish and the 2009 film Where the Wild Things Are . In 2004, he wrote, directed, storyboarded, did the art layout, and animated Gopher Broke . He also wrote and animated A Gentleman's Duel. Fowler worked on the CGI movie production for the 2005 video game Shadow the Hedgehog .

He directed Sonic the Hedgehog , a film based on the video game series of the same name. The film was originally set to release in November 2019, but due to widespread criticism toward Sonic'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 to Sonic the Hedgehog titled Sonic the Hedgehog 2 , which released on April 8, 2022. He is set to direct a reboot of The Pink Panther , which is in development, He directed the pilot episode and executive produced the TV series Knuckles , and directed Sonic the Hedgehog 3 , which is slated for release in December 2024.

Filmography

Director

Short film

YearTitleNotes
2004 Gopher Broke Also writer, storyboard artist, layout artist, and animator

Feature film

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

Television

YearTitleNotes
2024 Knuckles Miniseries
Episode "The Warrior";
also executive producer

Other credits

Short film

YearTitleRole
2003RockfishAnimator
2006A Gentlemen's DuelWriter and animator

Video game

YearTitleRole
2005 Shadow the Hedgehog CGI movie production [5]

Film

YearTitleRole
2009 Where the Wild Things Are Animation research and development

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<i>Sonic the Hedgehog 2</i> (film) 2022 film by Jeff Fowler

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a 2022 action-adventure comedy film based on the video game series published by Sega and the sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog (2020). It was directed by Jeff Fowler and written by Pat Casey, Josh Miller and John Whittington. Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub, Colleen O'Shaughnessey and Jim Carrey reprised their roles, with Idris Elba and Shemar Moore joining the cast. In the film, Sonic and Tails must find the Master Emerald before the villainous Dr. Robotnik and his partner Knuckles the Echidna.

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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is an upcoming action-adventure comedy film based on the video game series published by Sega. The sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), it is directed by Jeff Fowler. James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Lee Majdoub, Idris Elba and Jim Carrey reprise their roles from previous installments, with Keanu Reeves joining the cast.

References

  1. "2005 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences". Oscars.org . Retrieved 2023-02-25. Short Film (Animated) (...) Gopher Broke - Jeff Fowler and Tim Miller
  2. Short Film Winners: 2005 Oscars, Oscars.org, 2015-02-19, retrieved 2023-02-25
  3. Amidi, Amid (2019-05-02). "'Sonic the Hedgehog' Director Jeff Fowler Says Sonic Will Be Re-Designed". Cartoon Brew . Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  4. Ames, Jeff (2020-02-11). "Sonic The Hedgehog Director Jeff Fowler on Redesigning Sonic". ComingSoon.net . Retrieved 2023-02-25.
  5. Sega Studios USA (November 15, 2005). Shadow the Hedgehog (GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox). SEGA. Scene: Staff credits.