Director Jeff Fowler has fully embraced the internet's reaction to Knuckles in the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 trailer. Knuckles, who will make his big-screen debut in the upcoming Sonic sequel, is voiced by Thor alumni Idris Elba, who, despite his MCU ties, more recently made his way to DC soil as Bloodsport in The Suicide Squad. With a busy few months ahead, Elba will also reprise his role as Luther in Netflix's movie continuation of the popular detective drama.
With what started as a disastrous first trailer reveal, Sonic the Hedgehog achieved an incredible turnaround, following the studio's choice to redesign Sonic to meet with fan feedback. The decision, in turn, won back fan approval, making the movie one of the highest-grossing films of 2020. Thanks to its success, a sequel was quickly announced, with Ben Schwartz reprising his role as the famous blue hedgehog alongside James Marsden and Tika Sumpter, who return to their roles as Sonic's human friends from the first movie. As well as Knuckles, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will also see Sonic joined by his fox sidekick Tails, as the pair attempt to stop Dr. Robotnik/Eggman (Jim Carrey), aided by Knuckles, from finding the powerful and mysterious Master Emerald.
While speaking to Comicbook, Fowler expressed his adoration toward the reaction to Knuckles' trailer debut, calling out the many comments and memes dubbing Knuckles as sexy. Speaking on the subject, Fowler said that, "There are some things you just can't anticipate," before saying that both he and his wife love the hilarious trend. Fowler also admitted that, "no one could have expected that that would be a line of conversation happening out there, but I'm very glad that it is." Read his full quote below:
"Oh my gosh. There are some things you just can't anticipate," Fowler said. "I love it so much, and my wife just loves it so much. Last night, she's literally just passing me her phone and just pulling up all these sexy Knuckles. It's hilarious and wonderful and perfect. So yeah. No one could have expected that that would be a line of conversation happening out there, but I'm very glad that it is."
The internet branding Knuckles as sexy was, for better or for worse, inevitable, much to Elba's dismay, as the actor previously stated that it wasn't what he was going for with his Sonic the Hedgehog 2 portrayal. But, while the internet has fun with the sexy Knuckles shtick, casting Elba was a bold choice that seems to be paying off. Elba's distinct stylings give the character an intimidating flair, which is apt, considering Knuckles appears to spend at least part of the film as a villain. Compared to both Sonic and Tails, Knuckles has always been the more grounded, serious character, and Elba's voice work is the perfect way to complement Schwartz's more comic, but no less better suited, take on Sonic.
Fowler's excitement toward the trailer's reception is fantastic to see, as the director clearly cares that he gets the sequel right, and so far, it looks promising. While Sonic the Hedgehog was a fun adventure flick, the trailer shows the sequel is far more confident with its source material, something reinforced by the choice to cast video game Tails actress, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, in the big screen adaption. With Fowler and co. out to make the movie a success, there's still plenty of time for more weird Knuckles memes to make it to the internet in anticipation of Sonic the Hedgehog 2's April 2022 release.
Source: Comicbook
