Idris Elba has been pretty quiet about his upcoming performance as Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, but he’s now revealed at least one detail – it won’t be sexy. The red echidna will make his big-screen debut in the sequel to 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog, which is currently scheduled to release on April 8, 2022. Elba will star as Knuckles alongside Ben Schwartz (Sonic), Jim Carrey (Dr. Robotnik/Eggman), and James Marsden.
When he was first introduced in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Knuckles wasn’t exactly best friends with Sonic. Instead, the Echidna was positioned as a minor antagonist – a musclebound brute easily tricked by Dr. Robotnik into fighting Sonic, only to realize later on that Eggman was the true enemy all along. By all accounts, the version of Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will follow that same story, likely joining Sonic in the battle against Dr. Eggman before the movie ends.
The casting of Elba in the role of Knuckles was curious news to say the least, given the actor’s general type of suave British rogues. However, because of his immense talent and undeniable star power, most fans have expressed excitement to see what he’ll bring to the role. When asked in a recent interview with Screen Rant about how his history of debonair English characters would play into his Knuckles performance, Elba said that at the very least, the echidna would not be sexy. On all other matters related to the character, however, he remained tight-lipped. Read Elba’s full quote below:
Exclusive: “Honestly, I cannot say. Contractually, I cannot say anything. But I wouldn't say he was sexy. I don't think I'm going for that. That's for sure.”
Though Sonic the Hedgehog 2's storyline for Knuckles has yet to be revealed, there are some clues in the video games. Traditionally, Knuckles has been the guardian of the Master Emerald – a massive jewel of immense power that controls and keeps the seven Chaos Emeralds in check. The Chaos Emeralds are a huge part of the overarching Sonic the Hedgehog story and lore – even bestowing Sonic with his famous Super Sonic form – but they’re notably absent from the first movie. The introduction of Elba’s Knuckles would seem to indicate that the Chaos Emeralds will feature more prominently in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
While Elba’s performance as Knuckles has been a hot topic of discussion, one of the other lead characters of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Tails the two-tailed fox, has been the subject of more secrecy. Tails appears in the end-credits scene of Sonic the Hedgehog, where he’s voiced by longtime video game voice actor Colleen Villard, but it’s yet to be confirmed if Villard will return for Sonic 2, or if a more big-name voice actor like Elba will take over the role. Either way, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is already building a stellar – if not terribly sexy – voice cast.
