The Super Bowl ad spot for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has been released online ahead of the big game. The first live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movie premiered in theaters on February 14, 2020, just enough time to have a more or less full theatrical run before the industry was shut down by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was a success, grossing over $300 million worldwide off an $85 million budget and, largely because of the lack of competition later in the year, landing Sonic at #6 on the worldwide box office chart for 2020.
With that kind of success even during the first stirrings of a pandemic, it was inevitable that Paramount would produce a sequel. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a go, coming to theaters on April 8, 2022 and bringing back Ben Schwartz as Sonic, James Marsden as his human companion Tom, Tika Sumpter as Tom's partner Maddie, Natasha Rothwell as Maddie's sister Rachel, and Jim Carrey as the villainous Dr. Robotnik. The film is also bringing in new characters from the game, including Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) and Tails (voiced by Colleen O'Shaughnessey).
Today, Paramount released a first look at the teaser they will be running during the Super Bowl broadcast this Sunday, February 13. The ad spot begins with a reference to the Super Bowl itself, as a coin is flipped featuring heads and the face of the character Tails. Tails, Sonic, and Knuckles assemble on the field before the spot begins in earnest, running through a lot of the same footage that was featured in the full Sonic 2 trailer before revealing a closer look at both Sonic and Knuckles' ultimate showdown (an appropriate choice considering the climactic game it will be appearing during) and a giant Dr. Eggman ripped straight from the video games. Watch the teaser below:
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 also reunites the cast with original director Jeff Fowler and co-screenwriters Pat Casey and Josh Miller. This time, Casey and Miller are also joined by John Whittington, the man behind The Lego Batman Movie and The Lego Ninjago Movie. The cast will also be filled out by newcomers Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub, and Shemar Moore.
A lot of projects are releasing their commercials and trailers online ahead of the Super Bowl, presumably to gin up viewers from across the market. However, that doesn't leave much new material for the Super Bowl fans to actually watch. Considering how the game has always been a lightning rod for big reveals and announcements, it's possible that something big has been cut out of this Sonic the Hedgehog 2 that will be revealed exclusively during the game broadcast.
Source: Paramount
