Idris Elba’s Knuckles Makes His Debut in the ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ Movie Trailer — Here’s How Fans Are Reacting
The 2021 Game Awards had no shortage of exciting announcements and trailers, and among them was the sequel for one of the best-received video game adaptations to come out in recent years. Of all the movie trailers to debut at the show, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was one of the most anticipated, heralding the arrival of Colleen O’Shaughnessey’s Tails and Idris Elba’s Knuckles. Here’s how fans are reacting to the film’s initial footage.
‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ trailer sets up the movie’s villain duo
The first Sonic the Hedgehog movie established Jim Carrey as the chaotic Dr. Robotnik, and being transported to another dimension won’t keep the actor from the sequel. His dynamic personality is on full display in Paramount Pictures’ first trailer. But even with his “brand new ‘stache,” Carrey’s villain isn’t the one stealing the show.
That’s because Idris Elba’s Knuckles makes his first appearance in the trailer, giving Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) a far more intimidating foe to contend with. He’s right about one thing: he certainly doesn’t need Sonic’s speed to match him. And with Dr. Robotnik backing Knuckles, Sonic will have a serious fight on his hands.
Fortunately, Tails will be around to assist. The Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie trailer offers a glimpse of Sonic’s sidekick as well, promising a fun alliance between the two characters.
Fans react to the movie’s first footage and Idris Elba’s Knuckles
In general, the humorous and action-packed first look at Sonic the Hedgehog 2 left fans eager for the movie’s arrival. On Reddit, several of them commented on how much more “intense” this film looks compared to its predecessor. The writers certainly seem to have found their footing, and adding fan-favorite characters from the games no doubt makes the sequel more compelling.
Fans are more enthusiastic about Sonic the Hedgehog 2 than they were about the first film, and some of that likely has to do with the fanbase having fewer concerns about the design. However, Knuckles’ arrival also plays a big role. On Reddit and Twitter, reactions implied that Idris Elba’s character was one of the best parts of the trailer. It seems the excitement surrounding his casting has only escalated with the footage.
Sonic fans are also thrilled that Chaos Emeralds show up in the trailer, suggesting Shadow might appear in this film or another sequel. If Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is as good as it looks, future movies seem like a strong possibility.
‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ gets April 2022 release date
As for when moviegoers can see Idris Elba’s knuckles in action, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 hits theaters on April 8, 2022. That’s right around the corner. And with theatrical releases ramping up again, there’s little doubt Sonic fans will rush out to see this sequel. With any luck, Paramount Pictures will deliver a few more trailers before then. But this one alone promises a top-tier experience for fans of the games and newcomers alike.
