Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Sonic the Hedgehog 2
A particularly memorable moment during the end battle of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 not only surprised and thrilled fans but it set up multiple storyline options for the sequel. Paramount has found continued success with its second film in the Sonic franchise, so it’s no surprise a third film has already been confirmed. While many are wondering what stories the follow-up movie may feature, the crowd-pleasing final fight is a great lead-in to what could come next.
The third act of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 showed Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) and his friends Tails (voiced by Colleen O’Shaugnessey) and Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) going up against the villainous Dr. "Eggman" Robotnik (Jim Carrey). As Robotnik gained some pretty impressive powers after obtaining the Master Emerald, he created for himself a giant Death Egg Robot the heroes just couldn’t overcome. During a key moment in the battle, however, the Master Emerald was smashed causing the remaining Chaos Emeralds to inhabit a very much in danger Sonic. This resulted in an iconic upgrade for the blue blur into what many familiar with the Sega video game know as his Super Sonic form. His quills and eyes turned golden yellow, and his powers were greatly amplified leading to Robotnik’s defeat.
In addition to being one of the most talked-about moments in the film, the appearance of Super Sonic and the Chaos Emeralds ties in to multiple characters from the video game and gives Sonic the Hedgehog 3 plenty to work with. In multiple Sonic the Hedgehog video games, Sonic has battled Dr. Robotnik and other foes in outer space. The sequel could depict Sonic in such a situation seeing as how distant planets and galaxies were referenced multiple times in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Perhaps Robotnik (if Jim Carrey returns) takes his evil plans into space, and Sonic is forced to pursue his nemesis outside of the Earth’s atmosphere. This would likely take his Super Sonic abilities to perform and would closely resemble certain memorable scenes from the Sega game. Or possibly an individual even more dastardly and powerful than Robotnik finds their way to Earth from another world requiring the Super Sonic upgrade once again.
As Shadow the Hedgehog has been confirmed to appear in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the classic villain Black Doom could easily enter the fray since he is partially responsible for the creation of Shadow and is closely tied with the Chaos Emeralds. Black Doom is the leader of an alien species that has come to Earth repeatedly over the centuries for nefarious purposes, and among his many powers is the ability to control the Chaos Emeralds and anyone who might be using them. He could use his telepathy to control Sonic in his Super Sonic state and cause the hero of the film to become its greatest threat.
At the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the Chaos Emeralds were released into the sky and transported somewhere unknown. It is possible each emerald was sent to a different location, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 could focus heavily on Sonic’s team of heroes traveling the globe to find them before an odious individual gets their hands on them. This storyline could even culminate in potentially any one of the characters, hero or villain, using the Chaos Emeralds to become “Super” in their own way. This would be quite a unique way to bring the Super Sonic element from the video game to the big screen once again.
As was the case with the first Sonic film, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 included several elements in its ending to head into a sequel with plenty of exciting video game tie-ins. The sequel is sure to have more adventure and more villainy (and hopefully more Jim Carrey.) Whatever direction Sonic the Hedgehog 3 goes in, the introduction of the Super Sonic force and the Chaos Emeralds is the perfect component to point the franchise in the right direction.