Blue Vengeance returns in Sonic The Hedgehog 2, which is out in theaters April 8, and the fan favorites from the video game are arriving onscreen in droves. Not only are Sonic (Ben Schwartz, Parks and Recreation) and Tom (James Marsden, Westworld) up to even more adventures, but his iconic sidekick Tails (played by voice actor Colleen O'Shaughnessey) and nemesis Knuckles (Idris Elba, The Suicide Squad) have joined the fun with their own agendas.
On the human side of the story, Tom's lady love Maddie (Tika Sumpter, Mixed-ish) and her sister Rachel (Natasha Rothwell, Insecure) get more action-oriented roles in the sequel. We spoke to the stars about getting a vacation on set, acting alongside Shemar Moore, and their thoughts on the future of the franchise.
Screen Rant: Did we get a Hawaiian vacation out of this movie? How fun was that?
Natasha Rothwell: It was beautiful. I mean, it was work, but it barely qualified.
Tika Sumpter: I know. I kept saying, "Are we working? What are we doing?" My daughter kept coming down to the set, just being there and calling Natasha. "I want to be around Funny Lady."
Natasha Rothwell: I was Funny Lady.
Natasha, I don't know how anyone kept it together around you on set. You were so freakin' funny in this movie; I was screaming.
Natasha Rothwell: Thank you so much. I had a blast. I had so much fun.
And Shemar Moore is not terrible to look at.
Natasha Rothwell: I mean, I said yes to the movie because - No, I'm kidding.
I just remember being on the phone with Jeff when he was like, "We're gonna be putting you in the sequel." I was so excited, and he was like, "Yeah, we're thinking about casting Shemar Moore as your fiancé." Then there was a hole in my wall my size, because I just ran to wherever he was.
I definitely won the lottery on that.
Tika, you get more into the action in this movie. Can you talk about how Maddie has evolved from the first movie?
Tika Sumpter: Oh, my gosh. First of all, I'm grateful that I get to do it with my sister; we're right or die. We get to be our own heroes and be the heroes of a certain part of the movie, so I was very excited when I read the script. Jeff was like, "We're getting you guys more involved."
I think it's a lot of young girls are gonna be watching this, as well as a lot of women, and I think it's about time that you have two unlikely heroes going out and kicking butt.
Sonic is all about going fast. What is the fastest you've ever said yes to a role and why?
Natasha Rothwell: I mean, this?
Tika Sumpter: "Here's the offer." "Yes!"
Natasha Rothwell: "What time? What time?" Yeah, I feel like it was with [Sonic] 2. And it's not just the script. There's so many components and reasons why you say yes, but this film had it all. And I think that's why I feel like this is my choice, for sure.
Tika Sumpter: Yeah, I think Ride Along, maybe I said yes pretty quickly. Just so I could be around funny, funny people. I just want to inject myself with funny all the time.
But this was probably the fastest.
It seems like we're well on our way to a big Sonic cinematic universe. Do you see yourself in this world for the long haul, and is there something you'd love to see in a future movie?
Tika Sumpter: Yes.
Natasha Rothwell: I mean, the short answer is yes.
Tika Sumpter: That was pretty quick. Yeah, I want to see more of us being utilized.
And maybe they'll bring somebody like Amy out of the woodwork, or another Sonic or whatever that looks like. Or another character, I don't know.
Natasha Rothwell: Yeah, I think that is the the beauty of what Jeff has created. It's just like the potential is there, and he knows in us that he'll always have a Rachel and Maddie at his disposal.
Sonic 3: Rachel's Revenge, that has a nice ring to it.
Tika Sumpter: A buddy comedy.
More Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Interviews
After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove that he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns with a new partner, Knuckles, in search of a mystical emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 arrives in US theaters Friday, April 8. It is 122 minutes long and rated PG for action, some violence, rude humor, and mild language.