Sonic the Hedgehog 2 adds Criminal Minds star Shemar Moore to its cast and reveals a new photo from the set. Last year, the first Sonic the Hedgehog managed to be one of the few 2020 movies to actually win at the box office. Arriving in February on a wave of eager expectations, the Jeff Fowler-directed movie became the highest-grossing video game film domestically when it hit $146 million. Sonic the Hedgehog was aided by positive reviews from fans and critics, and Paramount officially greenlit a sequel in May of last year.
Once again helmed by Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has enjoyed a speedy development and production process, with filming kicking off and ending this past spring. The movie is slated to premiere in April 2022, and it will feature the returns of James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Jim Carrey, and Ben Schwartz as Sonic. Even before Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was officially confirmed, fans already knew to expect one new character: Tails, Sonic's pal from the games. Tails appeared in the end-credits scene for the first movie, and he'll team up with Sonic in the sequel.
With filming on Sonic the Hedgehog 2 now complete, a new cast member has been revealed. Shemar Moore confirmed on social media Tuesday that he has joined the cast of the video game sequel. He didn't share any details about who he will be playing, only that he is excited to be a part of it. Moore also added a picture of himself and co-stars Marsden, Sumpter, and fellow newcomer Natasha Rothwell. Check out his post down below.
For 11 seasons, Moore played SSA Derek Morgan on CBS' hit procedural Criminal Minds. After departing the show, he took the lead role in the network's S.W.A.T., which will return for its fifth season later this year. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 marks Moore's first live-action film since 2016's The Bounce Back, though he's voiced Victor Stone, aka Cyborg, for several animated DC movies in recent years.
Moore looks to be joining the human side of Sonic the Hedgehog 2; that is, fans perhaps shouldn't expect him to voice Knuckles (a role Jason Momoa was reportedly in talks for) or Tails (voiced by video game star Colleen O'Shaughnessey in the first movie). Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will see the titular speedster once again face Dr. Robotnik (Carrey) as he searches for the Chaos Emerald. This installment promises to bring the burgeoning franchise further in line with the video games, and it'll be exciting to see it all come together next year.
Source: Shemar Moore/Instagram
