As much as it might frustrate some fans, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 needs to commit to the movie franchise’s most controversial subplot instead of abandoning it. Video game adaptations often fall into the ‘hit or miss’ category with audiences familiar with the source material. However, Sonic the Hedgehog defied the usual trends in that it is almost universally beloved by its original fans, including myself. The online community of Sonic fans has discussed the pros and cons of elements, such as Sonic’s personality and maturity, that differ from the games.

Still, most people are willing to accept that the movies have a different take because all three Sonic the Hedgehog films show a lot of reverence towards the source material. The only element that has remained a major sticking point, dividing fans, is the inclusion of human main characters in the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movies. Despite some fans pushing to remove the humans in Sonic 4, it would be a mistake to abandon this part of the film franchise.

Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Should Not Abandon The Human Characters

The Human Characters Are Integral To The Sonic the Hedgehog Movies

The argument that Sonic shouldn’t include human characters has merit when looking at the video games. Up until Sonic Adventure, Doctor Eggman was the only human character. Humans become more present between Sonic Adventure and Sonic ‘06, but they still aren’t the main characters of the games. However, they essentially disappear again after that. The first TailsTube explained the inconsistencies about human characters by clarifying that the Sonic characters live on the islands while humans live on the continents (via ComicBook.com).

With the introduction of more non-human characters from the video games, like Amy Rose, and the decreased role of the Wachowsis in Sonic 3, the idea has been bouncing around about the Sonic movie franchise making a film focused solely on the anthropomorphic animals. The only human would be Dr. Robotnik – if he somehow survived the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. However, I think it would be a huge mistake to abandon the human characters in Sonic the Hedgehog 4.

While I can understand the frustrations of humans taking up screentime in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, it’s far too late to backtrack now. The entire movie franchise is built on the foundation of Sonic finding a family on Earth. His relationships with Tom and Maddie are just as crucial to live-action Sonic’s character development as his connection with Tails and Knuckles. Plus, many fans have grown attached to the Wachowskis. While I personally feel little attachment to Tom, I would personally riot if they cut out Maddie or Agent Stone.

Sonic 3 Toned Down The Wachowski Family’s Subplot (But They Were Still Important)

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Shows The Wachoskis Can Still Exist Without Taking Up Too Much Screen Time

The best approach going forward would be to mirror Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which significantly toned down the Wachowski Family subplot without completely removing the humans. They fill a parental role for Team Sonic, providing guidance and a moral compᴀss. During the action, Maddie and Tom feel like supporting characters who bolster Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles’ plan without overtaking it.

This film is the first time the humans (aside from Robotnik) aren’t main characters in the Sonic movie franchise, which proves Sonic 3 learned its lesson after the reaction to the unnecessary wedding scenes in Sonic 2. Ultimately, Tom only has seven minutes on screen, and Maddie has even less time. It’s a perfect balance that allowed each member of Team Sonic to shine while their parents looked on proudly from offscreen.

There’s Just One Way Sonic 4 Could Get Away With Not Having Human Characters

Team Sonic Would Need To Leave Earth To Abandon The Human Characters

If the creative team is determined not to include human main characters in Sonic the Hedgehog 4, they will have to navigate it carefully. The most obvious way to write off the human characters in future Sonic films would be to kill them off, but the Wachowskis dying would be far too dark based on the movie franchise’s current tone. They also kind of missed the opportunity to go in this direction in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 when Tom gets injured. However, there is another less dark option that won’t betray the viewers – setting Sonic 4 on a different planet.

The end of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 takes place in space, which feels refreshing after two and a half films on Earth. They’ve already introduced the planet Mobius and Mushroom Planet, but there is a whole other universe of planets they could explore.

If they wanted to diverge from the game story, they could have Team Sonic say goodbye to the Wachowski family early on and spend the rest of the movie in space. Alternatively, the writers could have Team Sonic leave for Little Planet early in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 if they go the Sonic CD route. Even then, I think it would be wise to bookend the story with them leaving the Wachowskis and coming back to them, with the family serving as their home base. This would add a sense of consistency for Team Sonic and the audience.