SEGA to partner with Netflix for new Sonic TV show, Crazy Taxi film and more

Over the past half a decade, SEGA has found a great deal of success outside of video games, having released 3 cinematic Sonic the Hedgehog film adaptations, a spin-off show and a number of animated offerings. Furthering its transmedia efforts, the publisher has announced a deal with Netflix to develop multiple new projects – including Crazy Taxi and Stranger Than Heaven film adaptations.

As reported by the publication Variety, SEGA and Netflix are teaming up to adapt some of the publisher’s most relevant IPs. The first project under this partnership is set to be a “feature-film adaptation” of the classic Crazy Taxi; a series which has not seen a new mainline entry since 2002 (although the franchise is finally getting another game next year).

Details on the project remain somewhat light, although it has been confirmed that the film will be a comedy written by Dan Gregor and Doug Mand – known best for the well-received 2025 Naked Gun reboot.

Beyond Crazy Taxi, SEGA and Netflix are also working on another animated Sonic the Hedgehog series (following on from the Netflix-exclusive Sonic Prime) as well as a film based on RGG Studio’s upcoming Stranger Than Heaven.

Speaking on all 3 projects, SEGA’s head producer Toru Nakahara told fans to “expect something cute yet cool for ‘Sonic,’ hilariously crazy for ‘Crazy Taxi’ and a badass action drama for ‘Stranger Than Heaven,’ because we’ve got some amazing creative ideas lined up and we are just getting started. The whole team is absolutely thrilled!”

Sonic is of course SEGA’s bread and butter, and so it’s safe to assume that the upcoming animated series will perform well. Regarding the other two, we will have to wait and see.

As mentioned, Crazy Taxi is a classic franchise, albeit one which has not had a major new entry in decades. Stranger Than Heaven on the other hand is a brand new IP currently being propped up by the popularity of RGG Studio and their previous offerings. That said, if done well, all three could have a solid chance at success. We will have to wait and see.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this latest announcement? Between the 3, which are you most interested in? Is SEGA getting ahead of itself by announcing a Stranger Than Heaven film? Let us know down below.

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