Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in development along with Knuckles spin-off series

The release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is nearly two months away but Deadline has reported that Paramount Pictures and Sega Corporation are already developing a third installment of the franchise. In addition to Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Paramount and Sega also revealed that they’re developing a live-action spin-off TV series centering around Knuckles for Paramount+, with Idris Elba returning to voice the role.

“We are delighted to announce that the third Sonic theatrical film and the first live action Sonic series for Paramount+ are being actively developed,” said Haruki Satomi, CEO of Sega Corporation. “We’ve got a remarkable partnership with Paramount, and we are excited to continue expanding the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise with them. 2022 is shaping up to be a significant year for the franchise with the second film being released this April, as well as Sonic Frontiers, the highly anticipated video game title, coming this holiday. Sonic has been beloved by fans across the world for over 30 years and we look forward to continuing to bring memorable moments and experiences to them for many years to come.”

With Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and the Knuckles TV series, it’s clear that Paramount and Sega are looking to expand the franchise in a big way. Producer Neal Moritz said, “The world of Sonic the Hedgehog has been capturing imaginations for decades, and we are thrilled to stretch the limits of what this franchise is capable of with world-class offerings both on the big screen and for Sonic fans at home. The sky is truly the limit, and I am immensely proud to be part of creating new Sonic content for longtime fans as well as introducing Sonic to a new generation.“

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.