Jeff Fowler

• Name — Jeff Fowler • Born — 27 July 1978 • Birthplace — Normal, Illinois • Education — Ringling College of Art and Design (graduated 2002) • Occupation — * Film director • animator • Years Active — 2002–present • Employer — Blur Studio • Known for — Sonic the Hedgehog film series (2020-present)

Fowler chose to pursue a career as a computer animator during his high school years in the 1990s, when computer animation was being popularized in film. According to Fowler, the film Toy Story profoundly impacted him. Fowler attended the Ringling College of Art and Design, majoring in computer animation. His thesis, the short film Monkey's Pit, attracted the attention of Blur Studio co-founder Tim Miller, who offered him employment at Blur after his graduation from Ringling in 2002. 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, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. He also wrote and animated A Gentleman's Duel. Fowler worked on the CGI movie production for the 2005 video game Shadow the Hedgehog. Later, 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 released in December 2024 to positive reviews. Fowler is set to return as the director for the fourth Sonic film, which is scheduled for a March 19, 2027 release. Filming started on March 2, 2026.

Short film • Year — Title — Notes • 2002 — Monkey's Pit — University thesis project • 2004 — Gopher Broke — Also writer, storyboard artist, layout artist, and animator Feature film • Year — Title — Notes • 2020 — Sonic the Hedgehog — Feature directorial debut • 2022 — Sonic the Hedgehog 2 — Also cameo as news anchor (deleted scene) • 2024 — Sonic the Hedgehog 3 — Also executive producer • 2027 — Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Television • Year — Title — Notes • 2024 — Knuckles — Miniseries Episode "The Warrior", Also executive producer

Short film • Year — Title — Role • 2003 — Rockfish — Animator • 2006 — A Gentlemen's Duel — Writer and animator Video game • Year — Title — Role • 2005 — Shadow the Hedgehog — CGI movie production Film • Year — Title — Role • 2009 — Where the Wild Things Are — Animation research and development

Jeff Fowler is recorded as animator, screenwriter, film producer, computer animation and director.