While The Super Mario Bros. Movie continues to dominate the box office, Paramount is rubbing its paws together at the thought of releasing Knuckles, a Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff series for Paramount+. With video game adaptations becoming more popular than ever, thanks to the success of Sonic the Hedgehog, The Last of Us, and Illumination’s Mario movie, it’s the perfect time to expand the Sonic Universe for television. Idris Elba plays Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and will reprise the role for the series. Edi Patterson (The Righteous Gemstones, Knives Out, Vice Principals), Julian Barratt (The Mighty Boosh, Mindhorn), Scott Mescudi (Pearl, X, Need for Speed), and Ellie Taylor (Ted Lasso, The Mash Report) also join the cast alongside Adam Pally, who will reprise the role of Walt Whipple. Rory McCann guest stars.
The plot for SEGA and Paramount’s Knuckles series revolves around Knuckles’ journey of self-discovery while training Wade Whipple as his protégé. The story occurs between Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, with the live-action animated threequel racing into theaters on December 20, 2024.
Jeff Fowler, who directed Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2, is returning to direct the pilot for Knuckles. Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, John Whittington, and Toru Nakahara executive produce alongside Idris Elba. Ged Wright, Brandon Trost, Jorma Taccone, and Carol Banker will also get behind the camera for the Knuckles series. Whittington, who wrote Sonic the Hedgehog 2, returns to pen the Echidna’s episodic adventure.
The Sonic the Hedgehog property must go fast to keep pace with Nintendo and Illumination’s Super Mario Bros movie. While Sonic the Hedgehog hails from an expansive universe of characters and storylines, Nintendo has a library of classic video game properties to help expand its reach in animation. While Nintendo’s reach is arguably wider, one should always appreciate the intense power of Sonic’s dedicated fanbase. If Sonic the Hedgehog wants to crossover with SEGA’s Jet Set Radio, I’d be willing to take the ride.
Are you excited about SEGA and Paramount’s Knuckles series? Do you think the show will measure up to the blockbuster films? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.