Knuckles TV Show Hints At Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Villain Twist

Does Paramount’s Knuckles TV show announcement reveal the echidna’s secret Sonic the Hedgehog 2 story arc? Somehow, Jeff Fowler’s 2020 Sonic the Hedgehog movie overcame a long-standing video game adaptation curse, a terrible first Sonic design, and some of the most blatant product placement you’ll ever see to earn critical acclaim and box office success. Sonic the Hedgehog was one of the best family films released that year – and not just because hardly any films actually released that year. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 quickly entered production ahead of an April 2022 release date, and will introduce Idris Elba as Knuckles the Echidna.

Paramount recently proved its faith in Sonic the Hedgehog’s box office magnetism by announcing Sonic the Hedgehog 3 several months before the second movie even premieres. And if that wasn’t enough super-speeding, ring-collecting, spike-pit-avoiding action, Paramount also confirmed a streaming TV series starring Idris Elba’s Knuckles. By making Knuckles the protagonist of his own project, however, has Paramount given away an important Sonic the Hedgehog 2 twist ahead of time?

Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s trailers and marketing present Knuckles squarely as an enemy to Sonic. Promo footage is based entirely around these red and blue spiny mammals fighting each other, with not even the slightest hint they’ll reconcile come the final act. Knuckles calls defeating Sonic his “destiny,” and the hedgehog accuses the echidna of coveting his power. The trailer’s marketing encourages viewers to “choose your side,” and it was the echidna tribe who forced Sonic from his home in the original film, adding some personal spice between the rival speedsters.

Lining up Idris Elba’s Knuckles for a solo series on Paramount+ more or less confirms the echidna will become a good guy – and an ally to Sonic and Tails – before the credits roll on Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Casting a villain in the title role might work for Joker, but let’s assume Sonic the Hedgehog isn’t heading down a route of nihilism and murder. If Knuckles is starring in a TV show, it’s inevitable he’ll realize Sonic isn’t an enemy, and the pair will work together to bring down Dr. Robotnik. Does this spoil the biggest twist of Sonic the Hedgehog 2? Well, yes and no.

On one hand, it does seem a bit pointless to market Sonic the Hedgehog 2 as a massive showdown between Sonic and Knuckles, only to announce Knuckles is getting a TV series. The spinoff’s very existence pretty much spells out how Knuckles and Sonic’s rivalry ends. Having said that, the history of Sonic and Knuckles’ friendship isn’t exactly a secret. Those familiar with Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog video games will know Knuckles debuts as an enemy in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, before realizing Dr. Robotnik – that super-innocent-looking guy trapping animals inside robots – has been lying to him all along. Knuckles then teams up with Sonic and Tails, his fur hiding the embarrassment of being completely wrong. That happened in 1994, so announcing a Knuckles TV series perhaps doesn’t give away anything audiences aren’t already aware of.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s trailer footage lays the foundations for this very storyline. Dr. Robotnik’s Giant Death Egg Robot is powered by the Master Emerald – a green gem that Knuckles’ clan is supposed to protect. Robotnik likely exploits Sonic and Knuckles’ hot-headed rivalry to steal the Master Emerald for himself.

About The Author

Craig Elvy
(3637 Articles Published)

Craig first began contributing to Screen Rant in 2016, several years after graduating college, and has been ranting ever since, mostly to himself in a darkened room. Having previously written for various sports and music outlets, Craig’s interest soon turned to TV and film, where a steady upbringing of science fiction and comic books finally came into its own.
Craig has previously been published on sites such as Den of Geek, and after many coffee-drenched hours hunched over a laptop, part-time evening work eventually turned into a full-time career covering everything from the zombie apocalypse to the Starship Enterprise via the TARDIS.

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Since joining the Screen Rant fold, Craig has been involved in breaking news stories and mildly controversial ranking lists, but now works predominantly as a features writer.
Jim Carrey is Craig’s top acting pick and favorite topics include superheroes, anime and the unrecognized genius of the High School Musical trilogy.

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