Set Pictures Confirm Knuckles Is Coming To Sonic The Hedgehog 2
Sony has its fans in a "spin", as players and movie fanatics alike get ready for Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Ben Schwartz is back at the titular blue blur, but after an adorable tease of Tails at the end of the first movie, it looks like the cast is getting even bigger this time around. While it didn't take a genius to figure out that director Jeff Fowler would be adding some more familiar faces from SEGA's iconic franchise, the first set photos have confirmed the arrival of Knuckles.
Whether you don't think anyone can beat Sonic, Tails and his doe-eyes melt your heart, Rose sends your heart aflutter, or you like the sinister edge of Shadow the Hedgehog, we can almost unanimously agree Knuckles the Echidna is one of the greatest video game characters of all time. By the time we got to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in 1994, there were some complaints SEGA needed to find a new direction. Doctor Robotnik tricking Knuckles into going against Sonic and Tails sparked a friendly rivalry for the ages and led to Knuckles being the standout of the otherwise lacklustre game.
By the time it came to Sonic & Knuckles later that year, this red renegade had already cemented himself as an icon in his own right. It was only a matter of time before we'd see him in live-action, but by the looks of it, we won't have to wait until Sonic the Hedgehog 3 for Knuckles to limber up.
Who is Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 2?
The first on-set images started doing the rounds and showed actual stars James Marsden and Tika Sumpter performing an action scene. The second picture was what to everyone interested, as it featured confirmed characters Sonic and Tails alongside Knuckles. Despite there being plenty of rumours that Knuckles would be racing into the sequel, there'd been no official proof he'd be part of the ensemble - until now.
Notably, this looks like a much beefier version of Knuckles that echoes his design in 2014's Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric. He's also missing the white boomerang on his chest, but we don't know whether that's intentional or will be added in at a later date. Apart from that, he's a game-accurate version of the character that's sure to be a hit with fans old and new.
Even though Knuckles was originally depicted as an antagonist in the games, he later mellowed to become one of Sonic's allies. By the looks of the photograph, Knuckles is definitely team Sonic, suggesting that the scene either takes place later on in the movie or he's been rewritten as a friend of the spinning speedster. Either way, now we know Knuckles is in the movie, some fans are calling for Sonic to be renamed Sonic and Knuckles. Just like Woody Harrelson's Carnage is sure to be the standout star of Venom: Let There be Carnage, expect Knuckles to steal the show this time around.
What do fans think of Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 2?
For anyone who remembers the drama surrounding Sonic's design ahead of the first movie, you'll be relieved to know Knuckles is going down a storm on social media. When Sony gave us a first look at Sonic, the appearance of the lead with serious scowl and athlete's legs was pure nightmare fuel. It led to a massive redesign of how he looked, which presumably cost the studio a small fortune, but delivered a more game-accurate version of the character. Learning from the mistakes of the past, Knuckles looks like he's leapt directly from the SEGA Mega Drive.
One happy camper wrote, "Could this be peak Knuckles design? man looks strong and menacing yet still like Knuckles. Dude looks like he hits the gym. I love it". A second added, "This new Knuckles is good. Maybe one of the best Knuckles. Don't @ me", while a third said, "HOLY SH*T! Knuckles being taller and more muscular than Sonic and Tails is giving me Sonic Boom vibes! And I'm living for it!!! I'm f*****g READY!!!!". Basically, it seems everyone loves Knuckles - but we always knew that was going to be the case.
As well as Marsden, Sumpter, and Schwartz, the Sonic cast is again joined by Jim Carrey as the villainous Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik. Robotnik was last seen being banished to the Mushroom Planet, but we're guessing he's once again tooling up as the big bad of the next chapter. With filming currently underway on Sonic the Hedgehog 2, we're sprinting toward a hopeful release date of April 8, 2022.
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