Sonic the Hedgehog 2 promo taps into the hype for The Matrix Resurrections

Brand synergy is an age-old tactic in the art of cross-promotion, and today we’ve got a prime example of what happens when studios cross the streams. A new Sonic the Hedgehog 2 promo is hopping aboard the hype train for The Matrix Resurrections, which is now playing in theaters and streaming on HBO Max. In the promo, which includes new footage for Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Paramount asks Sonic fans if they prefer to hold the Blue Quill or the Red Quill. While the promo doesn’t specify what will happen when you take possession of either quill, I imagine that the blue one will transform you into a chili dog-loving hedgehog, with the red one turning you into an attitudinal echidna. Either way, that’s quite the makeover.

In addition to asking Sonic fans to choose between the two quills, the new Sonic the Hedgehog 2 promo also features new footage of Jim Carrey’s Dr. Ivo Robotnik. “After all these years, I discovered the source of ultimate power,” Robotnik says at the top of the new trailer, referring to his discovery of a Chaos Emerald. Robotnik’s words also suggest that the character has been trapped in another world since the finale of the first film and that he’s been plotting his revenge on Sonic ever since. Soon, there won’t be anywhere for the Blue Blur to hide from Robotnik or his evil schemes.

Ben Schwartz has returned once again to voice Sonic himself, and he’ll be joined by Idris Elba as the voice of Knuckles the Echidna and Colleen O’Shaughnessey as the voice of Tails. The Sonic the Hedgehog sequel will also see the return of James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, the sheriff of Green Hills, Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski, a veterinarian, and Tom’s wife, as well as Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik. The film also stars Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub, and Shemar Moore. Jeff Fowler returned to direct the sequel which was written by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington.

You can check out the new Matrix-inspired poster for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 below:

Heres’ the official synopsis for Sonic the Hedgehog 2:

After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is ready for more freedom, and Tom and Maddie agree to leave him home while they go on vacation. But no sooner are they gone, when Dr. Robotnik comes back, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search of an emerald that has the power to both build and destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is set to be released on April 8, 2022.