Though he made a brief cameo appearance in Wreck-It Ralph, it looks like Sonic the Hedgehog will now star front and center in his own feature film.  The live-action/CG hybrid will be the first in an expected film franchise, with the plan being to release one new movie each year.  Sony and producer Neal H. Moritz are teaming up with Japan-based animation film production company Marza Animation Planet to tackle the famous video game speedster.  Screenwriters Evan Susser and Van Robichaux, alumni of Upright Citizens Brigade, will draft the screenplay that's expected to include the world's fastest hedgehog and his infamous foe, the evil Dr. Eggman.  Hit the jump for more.

Heat Vision reports

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that Sony and Sega will team up to adapt the $1 billion franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog, for a feature film franchise.  The heroic hedgehog appeared in 1991 on the Sega Genesis in his very own video game, but it didn't take long to spawn numerous sequels, comic books, and a host of animated series; there's even a new one in the works called Sonic Boom that's destined for Cartoon Network.  So it's a little surprising that we've gone over 20 years without seeing Sonic on the big screen in a feature film.  Perhaps the time and technology are finally right for studios to take a chance on this one.

Here's what Sony Pictures production president Hannah Minghella had to say about the property:

“There are limitless stories to tell with a character like Sonic the Hedgehog, and a built-in international fan base. Along with our wonderful creative partners at Marza, we’re looking to capture everything that generations of fans know and love about Sonic while also growing his audience wider than ever before.”

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Image via Sega

Marza Animation Planet CEO Masanao Maeda added:

“Sonic has had dozens of adventures on the console and the small screen, and we’re thrilled that he’s now coming to the big screen. Sony Pictures has had great success with hybrid animated and live-action features, and we’re confident that this collaboration will bring a fresh take to Sonic, while still capturing everything that the fans love about him.”

Remember, kids, it's not just Sonic in the game anymore, even though his name remains at the core of the franchise.  It also includes plenty of other marketable characters like Miles "Tails" Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, and even Shadow the Hedgehog, so expect this one to be around for quite a while.