Following its successful release, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 should be the beginning of a new SEGA cinematic universe. Ever since the surprise success of the original film at the beginning of 2020, the development of a Sonic the Hedgehog follow-up has been watched closely. Now that Paramount Pictures' blue blur has successfully returned to the big screen, there is ample opportunity for the studio to be more ambitious in its vision for the rest of the series.
The 2022 Paramount sequel comes with new and yet familiar Sonic characters, one of which was teased in a post-credits stinger in 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog. The film features the returning Jim Carrey as the nefarious Dr. Robotnik/Eggman, alongside new additions like Idris Elba's Knuckles. Following in the footsteps of Sonic the Hedgehog's financial and modest critical success, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has enjoyed generally positive reviews and made well over $200 million at the global box office. While plans for a threequel are currently unconfirmed, it's clear that there is an audience appetite for the Sonic property.
Given this success, Paramount needs to use Sonic the Hedgehog 2 to kickstart a SEGA cinematic universe. A shift in this direction is a smart move on multiple levels because SEGA sits on a massive library of classic titles spanning four decades. Therefore, Paramount has the opportunity to develop SEGA’s wide breadth of innovative IPs. The studio has confidence in the Sonic franchise, so a logical next step is to open the world to new players in SEGA's catalog. Opening these gates makes sense because several SEGA protagonists have already been successfully translated to other media, like cartoons, comic books, manga and novelizations. The plethora of SEGA characters not yet adapted to film can test their might against the lucrative video game film adaptations brought to theaters in recent years. To build a buzz for their family of familiar faces like the Chao, SEGA must use Sonic the Hedgehog 2 as a springboard for forthcoming movie franchises. Specifically, Sonic 2 must be the face of change because of Sonic's ongoing broad appeal and wide recognition by families and children of many generations.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2's success can also make the property itself even more integral to SEGA's future. With the theatrical debut of Sonic's beloved fox sidekick Miles "Tails" Prower (Colleen O'Shaughnessey) and the mysterious echidna Knuckles (Idris Elba), the addition of new SEGA characters is a development that proves Paramount is invested in expanding the world of Sonic further. This commitment means that the series is ideally placed to be the springboard for an expanded saga, drawing creatively on SEGA's other successful properties.
Thanks to its storied history, SEGA does not need to look far to find a top cast of characters for its cinematic universe. Nostalgia-filled franchises like Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi, Nights into Dreams, and former SEGA mascot, Alex Kidd, feature icons covering all generations of fandom. These video game favorites are ripe for a film adaptation because they mix well with the fantastical environments showcased in Sonic the Hedgehog. Sci-fi tropes like robots, flying machines, aliens, and Chaos Emeralds exemplify how Sonic's fantasy elements meld perfectly with otherworldly SEGA stories such as Phantasy Star or Toe Jam & Earl. For example, Sonic and friends can easily teleport to these other iconic universes by means of golden rings, by no stretch of the imagination.
Paramount must begin conjuring up anticipation for a shared universe through world-building, stingers after the credits, and eventual spin-offs, like the confirmed Knuckles TV show on Paramount+. Fortunately, the built-in fanbase for SEGA games gives an advantage. As a sign of where things are headed, director Jeff Fowler enticed theatergoers by stating that his Sonic sequel does include a new character tease. Also confirmed are a live-action television series and a third Sonic movie based on the video game. Given this, the SEGA cinematic universe should begin to grow exponentially out of Sonic the Hedgehog 2's theatrical release. If it proves a success, Paramount's shared universe will be ready to take on anybody.