The sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 2 introduces Knuckles to the video game movie franchise, and here's the popular Hollywood actor who voices him. Paramount is going even bigger with its sequel to 2020's Sonic the Hedgehog. Tails is set to have a proper role after a post-credits appearance before, while Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) is also coming back with a more video game accurate look. However, the big new addition to Sonic the Hedgehog 2's story is Knuckles, the powerful red echidna from the games.
Knuckles joined the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series in 1994 by appearing in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. This marked the beginning of his complicated role in the mythology, as he was originally an antagonist for the blue blur before befriending him. Due to the character's popularity, it came as no surprise when Paramount confirmed plans for Knuckles to make his live-action debut in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The sequel seems to be mostly following his video-game origin, as Knuckles is a villain working for Robotnik and shown fighting Sonic in the marketing materials so far.
In order to bring Knuckles into Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Paramount had to cast an actor to voice him. After going with comedian Ben Schwartz for Sonic and keeping Colleen O'Shaughnessey as the voice of Tails from the games, Idris Elba voices Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Elba is a very recognizable Hollywood actor, as he recently starred in Netflix's The Harder They Fall and joined the DCEU as Bloodsport in The Suicide Squad. He's also known for his role Luther and as Heimdall in the MCU. Knuckles isn't Idris Elba's first voice-acting role, though, as he previously voiced Shere Khan in Disney's live-action The Jungle Book, Chief Bogo in Zootopia, and Fluke in Finding Dory.
Idris Elba's Knuckles voice has only been heard sparingly in Sonic the Hedgehog 2's marketing. The first trailer only included Elba saying, "Does it look like I need your power?," which provided the first glimpse at his Knuckles voice. Instead of creating a new voice specifically for the video game character, Idris Elba's Knuckles voice is just his normal voice. The Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Super Bowl TV spot provided some additional lines of dialogue to give audiences a better idea of how Idris Elba is playing Knuckles.
When Sonic the Hedgehog 2 releases in theaters in April 2022, viewers should have plenty of opportunities to see and hear Idris Elba's Knuckles. He's expected to have a big role in the sequel, and he'll presumably be a significant part of the franchise's future. If audiences really connect with Idris Elba's Knuckles, there is always the chance a spinoff movie could happen too. Idris Elba's future as Knuckles should be more clear after Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
