In a new spin-off series set to debut in 2023, Idris Elba will return to voice the red-furred rogue, who makes his first live-action appearance in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ coming this April.
Paramount’s live-action take on Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s Knuckles may not be sexy, according to voice actor Idris Elba, but he’s now a hot enough commodity to warrant a spin-off series from Paramount+.
When ViacomCBS (now Paramount) held its investor day presentation earlier this week, it announced that Elba, who voices Knuckles in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 2, will lend his talents to the character again in a new live-action show. Per Deadline, Sega and Paramount are set to produce, with a 2023 debut in their sights.
During the presentation, Sega CEO Haruki Satomi commented that the company is looking forward to a fruitful 2022, between the Knuckles series and its just-announced third Sonic feature.
“We’ve got a remarkable partnership with Paramount, and we are excited to continue expanding the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise with them,” Satomi said. He also drummed up anticipation for Sonic Frontiers, Sega’s next video game title in the franchise, which is expected to be released this holiday season.
“For more than three decades, Sonic the Hedgehog’s universe of vibrant, unique characters has generated one of the most passionate fanbases,” added Brian Robbins, president and CEO of Paramount Pictures & Nickelodeon and chief content officer of Movies, Kids & Family for Paramount Plus. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Sega, Neal Moritz, and all our creative partners as we explore additive ways to holistically scale the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise across platforms and captivate its loyal audience around the world.”
Moritz echoed these sentiments, sharing his enthusiasm for the IP-centric strategy that Sonic enables Paramount to implement in the days ahead.
“The world of Sonic the Hedgehog has been capturing imaginations for decades, and we are thrilled to stretch the limits of what this franchise is capable of with world-class offerings both on the big screen and for Sonic fans at home,” Moritz said. “The sky is truly the limit, and I am immensely proud to be part of creating new Sonic content for longtime fans as well as introducing Sonic to a new generation.”
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 hits theaters on April 8.
Max Weinstein is a writer and editor based in Los Angeles. He is the Editor-at-Large of 'Dread Central' and former Editorial Director of 'MovieMaker.' His work has been featured in 'Cineaste,' 'Fangoria,' 'Playboy,' 'Vice,' and 'The Week.'
