Paramount just released the first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and it looks like the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2020 smash hit film is cranking up all the dials. There's more action, more quips, more cute CGI characters, and most importantly, more of that glorious Robotnik stache.
The new trailer features big new reveals like Jim Carrey's new look as Dr. Robotnik and the first official shot of Knuckles, complete with those delightfully dulcet tones of Idris Elba. Miles "Tails" Prower also gets a lot of attention here, ironically having even more screen time in a single trailer than he did in the end credits scene of Sonic the Hedgehog. But perhaps the most important takeaway here is Carrey's absolutely stunning wardrobe change. That jacket is going to become a hot collectors' item.
It looks as though the filmmakers totally understood what made the first Sonic movie so successful because this trailer almost feels like a highlight reel that captures the vibe behind its best moments. Starting off with a montage of Sonic's rather messy attempts at becoming a vigilante superhero, the stakes quickly shoot up as Robotnik finally makes his way back from the far-off world where he was stranded at the end of the previous movie. But he's not the only new face shaking things up.
As previously mentioned, Tails finally gets to enjoy the spotlight for a bit. Interestingly, the trailer suggests that Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will depict the first actual meeting between Sonic and Tails, meaning the speedy fox must have another reason for tracking the blue blur all the way to Earth. Tails' regular voice actress from the games, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, is also notably reprising her role in the movie.
This makes it all the more intriguing as to why the filmmakers decided to bring in Elba to voice Knuckles, who enjoys a brief speaking appearance in the trailer as well. Tails seems like he'll play a substantial part in the story, based on his extended showing in the trailer, so the lack of a celebrity voice behind the character is a bit unexpected, even if it is very much welcome.
On the note of Knuckles, it looks as though his arc may loosely mirror that of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on the Sega Genesis, which saw Dr. Robotnik trick him into fighting Sonic and Tails. Based on the brief shot of a chaos emerald in the trailer, it looks as though that won't be the only thing borrowed from the games this time around. Maybe if fans get lucky, Sonic will get chased through San Francisco by a giant semi too.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will release in theaters on April 8th, 2022.
Source: Paramount Pictures|YouTube