Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (film)
| Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | |
|---|---|
 Teaser poster | |
| Directed by | Jeff Fowler |
| Screenplay by | |
| Story by |
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| Based on | Sonic the Hedgehog by Sega[a] |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Brandon Trost |
| Edited by | Jim May |
| Music by | Tom Holkenborg |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
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| Countries | United States Japan |
| Language | English |
Sonic the Hedgehog 2[b] is an upcoming adventure film based on the video game franchise Sonic the Hedgehog published by Sega. It is the sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), with Jeff Fowler directing from a script written by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington, based on the story created by Casey and Miller.[4] The cast includes Ben Schwartz, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, and Jim Carrey. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 follows Sonic and Tails as they try to prevent Doctor Eggman and Knuckles the Echidna from finding the Master Emerald.
Following the success of the first film, and with plans for a film series, Paramount Pictures announced the sequel in May 2020. Filming took place from March to June 2021 in Vancouver and Hawaii.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on April 8, 2022, by Paramount Pictures in association with Sega Sammy Group.
Premise[]
After the events of Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), Sonic stays in Green Hills while Tom and Maddie Wachowski go on vacation. When Doctor Eggman returns in search for the Master Emerald with the help of Knuckles the Echidna, Sonic and his new friend Miles "Tails" Prower set out to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.[5]
Cast[]
Voice cast[]
- Ben Schwartz as Sonic the Hedgehog: A heroic yet overconfident anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who can run at supersonic speeds, desiring to fight for justice, Sonic teams up with Tails to defeat Doctor Robotnik and Knuckles.[4][5]
- Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Miles "Tails" Prower: A young yet highly intelligent anthropomorphic yellow-orange fox who can fly with his two tails, finding Sonic on Earth, Tails joins forces with the blue hedgehog to save the universe. O'Shaughnessey is the only voice cast member from the Sonic the Hedgehog games to reprise her role for the film.[6][7]
- Idris Elba as Knuckles the Echidna: A hot-headed yet gullible anthropomorphic red echidna with super strength, Knuckles collaborates with Doctor Robotnik to find the Master Emerald.[5]
Live-action cast[]
- James Marsden as Tom Wachowski: The sheriff of Green Hills, Montana and Sonic's father figure.[8]
- Jim Carrey as Doctor Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik: A mad scientist and Sonic's archenemy, after escaping from the mushroom planet, Robotnik teams up with Knuckles to get his revenge on Sonic.[9]
- Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski: Tom's Wife, and the local veterinarian of Green Hills.[8]
- Adam Pally as Wade Whipple: Tom's friend and chief deputy of Green Hills.[8]
- Natasha Rothwell as Rachel: Maddie's older sister who dislikes Tom.[4]
- Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone: Barista of the mean bean coffee shop and Robotnik's assistant.[10]
Additionally, Shemar Moore will appear in an undisclosed role.[11]
Production[]
Development[]
By April 2020, Marsden had expressed his interest in a sequel featuring several characters from the video games, including Tails, who appeared in a mid-credits scene in the first film.[12] Director Jeff Fowler also expressed interest in developing a sequel that focused on Sonic and Tails' friendship and further developed Dr. Robotnik.[13] Later that month, Schwartz said that he felt it made sense for Paramount Pictures to not have announced a sequel by that point due to the COVID-19 pandemic, also adding that he was interested in a sequel featuring Tails and a more game-accurate portrayal of Robotnik.[14] Later that month, Sonic the Hedgehog co-writer Pat Casey revealed that there had been talks about a sequel, though the film had not been greenlit by Paramount by that point.[15] He also said that Carrey was interested in wearing a fat suit in a sequel to more closely resemble Robotnik's video game appearance.[15] Casey also hinted that a sequel could feature Sonic's "Super Sonic" form and the Chaos Emeralds from the video games, also expressing a desire to introduce the characters of Knuckles the Echidna and Amy Rose. Knuckles' existence was hinted at with the echidna tribe seen during the first film's opening sequence.[15]
In May, Paramount Pictures confirmed that a sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog was in development, with Fowler set to return as director alongside writers Casey and Josh Miller.[16] Neal H. Mortiz, Toby Ascher, and Toru Nakahara will produce the sequel, having previously co-produced the first film alongside Takeshi Ito, while Tim Miller, Hajime Satomi, and Haruki Satomi will return from the first film as executive producers.[16]
In December, it was confirmed by storyboard artist Fill Marc that artist Tyson Hesse, who redesigned the character of Sonic in the first film, would return.[17] The film's title was officially announced as Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in February 2021.[18] In May, a synopsis of Sonic the Hedgehog 2's story was released as Paramount submitted a patent to the U.S. Copyright Office catalog.[5]
Casting[]
On January 27, 2020, Jim Carrey expressed interest in starring in a sequel, feeling that his character, the villain Dr. Robotnik, could be expanded in the sequel: "I wouldn't mind going to do another one because it was so much fun, first of all, and a real challenge to try to convince people that I have a triple-digit IQ... There is so much room, you know, Robotnik has not reached his apotheosis."[19] On March 6, 2020, Sonic the Hedgehog star James Marsden confirmed that he had signed on for multiple sequels.[20]
On January 26, 2021, Tika Sumpter announced that she would reprise her role as Maddie Wachowski.[21] In March 2021, it was announced that Ben Schwartz and Jim Carrey would reprise their roles as Sonic and Robotnik respectively.[8][9] That same month, it was confirmed that Adam Pally would reprise his role as Wade Whipple.[8] In April 2021, James Marsden was confirmed to return as Tom Wachowski.[8][9] On June 16, 2021, it was announced that Shemar Moore had joined the cast in an undisclosed role.[11][22] On August 10, 2021, it was announced that Idris Elba had officially joined the cast as the voice of Knuckles the Echidna.[4] That same month, it was confirmed that Natasha Rothwell would reprise her role as Rachel.[4] On September 29, 2021, it was announced that Lee Majdoub would reprise his role as Agent Stone.[10] On December 7, 2021, Colleen O'Shaughnessey announced she will return to voice Miles "Tails" Prower.[7]
Filming[]
In December 2020, it was reported that the BC Film Commission had listed that the production of the film would occur from March 15 to May 10, 2021, under the working title Emerald Hill, a reference to the opening zone in the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 video game.[23] In January 2021, Tika Sumpter revealed that the film would shoot in both Vancouver and Hawaii.[21]
Principal photography began in Vancouver on March 15, 2021, with Brandon Trost serving as cinematographer.[8] As a way to show his gratitude to the crew, Carrey held a raffle on May 7 in order to give away a Chevrolet Blazer; the car was eventually given to a grip.[24] Filming in Vancouver concluded on May 12, 2021.[25] Filming wrapped in Hawaii on June 25, 2021.[26]
Post-production[]
Visual effects and animation for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will be provided by Moving Picture Company, after previously working on the first film.[27] John Whittington was announced as co-screenwriter in August 10, 2021.[4]
Music[]
On December 8, 2021, Tom Holkenborg, who composed the first movie, was announced to be returning to compose the film's score.[28]
Marketing[]
The teaser poster was revealed on December 7, 2021.[29] The next day, the first trailer was released at The Game Awards 2021.[30] It received an overwhelmingly positive reaction from fans, with Elba as Knuckles attracting additional praise. Reviewers noted the difference in reaction compared to the first film's initial trailer that was released on April 30, 2019.[31][32]
Release[]
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is scheduled for theatrical release by Paramount Pictures first in France and the Netherlands on March 30, 2022[33][34] and later in the United States on April 8, 2022.[35][36] 45 days after the film releases in the U.S., the film is slated to be on Paramount+.
Notes[]
- ^ Sonic the Hedgehog was developed by Sonic Team, published by Sega, directed and programmed by Yuji Naka, designed by Hirokazu Yasuhara, and illustrated by Naoto Ohshima.[1][2]
- ^ Known in Japan as Sonic the Movie / Sonic VS Knuckles (Japanese: ソニック・ザ・ムービー／ソニック VS ナックルズ, Hepburn: Sonikku za Mūbī / Sonikku VS Nakkuruzu)[3]
References[]
- ^ "The bizarre evolution of Sonic the Hedgehog". Business Insider. February 13, 2020. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
- ^ "How Sega conquered the video games industry – and then threw it all away". The Independent. February 16, 2020. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
- ^ @Sonic_MovieJP (December 9, 2021). "『ソニック・ザ・ムービー／ソニック VS ナックルズ』 ＼＼⭐2022年夏 全国公開❗／／