Culture

Fans are thirsting after Knuckles after getting a sneak peek at the Sonic 2 movie set. Yes, really

Apr 21 2021
Written by Ed Nightingale

People have been thirsting over a ‘live action’ version of this thicc, fictional egg-laying mammal (SEGA)

Sonic sidekick Knuckles has been spotted on the set of the forthcoming live-action Sonic the Hedgehog film sequel and fans are going wild.

Images of life-sized models of Sonic, Knuckles and Tails have been doing the rounds on social media – originally snapped by @Pursuit23 on Twitter, with the first film’s actors James Marsden and Tika Sumpter also seen on set.

Miles “Tails” Prower, to use his full name, is the dual-tailed orange fox first introduced in the second Sonic the Hedgehog video game. His inclusion in the second film was somewhat expected, especially as he featured in a post-credit scene.

Here's a look at the #SonicMovie2 filming at Fort Langley today. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles props were seen; Marsden and Sumpter present as well. #SonicNews pic.twitter.com/YlrsNZlvVy

— Tails' Channel (@TailsChannel) April 20, 2021

Knuckles, the red echidna, debuted in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as a villain (later playable with Sonic in Sonic & Knuckles), so featuring in the film is something of a surprise.

Fans were quick to note his size and jacked image. We have to admit, he is looking pretty buff.

Dude, Knuckles is JACKED. HOLY- pic.twitter.com/lH8S3d6CDp— Cy 🔜 C2E2 (@Cybrid101) April 20, 2021

IM FREAKING OUT KNUCKLES LOOKS SO GOOD pic.twitter.com/TGkmSUqqUt— Sauce (@daregularsauce) April 20, 2021

Some have even proposed this is the best looking Knuckles design, who’s appeared in many of the Sonic games and animated series since his 1994 debut.

Sonic hot take: this is the best Knuckles in the entire series pic.twitter.com/uv7mt3OvVu— ✪ daniel barnes ✪ (@Danny8bit) April 21, 2021

https://twitter.com/Voks_Sketches/status/1384654515115282434?s=20

Does this mean the film is, technically, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 & Knuckles, a reference to the Mega Drive lock-on cartridge?

knuckles appearing means this movie is no longer sonic the hedgehog 2

It’s now officially sonic the hedgehog 2 & knuckles https://t.co/LJewVT6mTK

— TAHK0 ☕️ (@TAHK0) April 21, 2021

Praising the film’s designs is quite the turnaround. When Sonic was initially revealed in May 2019 for the first film, there was a fan outcry at his design.

Sporting a furry texture, human-like features and some truly terrifying teeth, fans ridiculed the design and complained his resemblance did not match the video games.

Paramount and Sega took the criticism onboard and redesigned the character. Come November 2019 and fan reaction to Sonic was far more positive.

The Sonic movie really went from ruining the design of Sonic to absolutely NAILING the design of Knuckles.

This turnaround will never cease to fascinate me. pic.twitter.com/LCHn46imQc— Connor Thompson (@Alpha_Bulblax) April 21, 2021

The film, released in February 2020, went on to receive generally positive reviews. The sequel was teased earlier this year and will release on 8 April 2022.

Plenty of fan art has already made its way online too as fans express their delight at seeing the three characters together at last.