Actor Idris Elba (The Suicide Squad, The Wire) has announced he is voicing Knuckles the Echidna in the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie.
As previously reported, the new live-action movie is a sequel to the 2020 Sonic the Hedgehog. Based on the announcement teaser trailer and a post-credit scene at the end of the first film, Miles “Tails” Prower the fox will appear; along with certain scenes from the first movie and leaked on-set photos all-but confirming Knuckles would appear as well.
In the games, Knuckles is the last of the echidna; a warlike tribe driven to destruction when attempting to harness the powers of the Master Emerald. The last living decedent, he defends this magical gemstone on the floating Angel Island. He is typically depicted as a hot-head, being easily deceived by Dr. Robotnik on more than one occasion, but usually having some spiritual beliefs.
Along with his spiked fists granting him tremendous strength, Knuckles can also dig underground, climb up walls, and even glide through the air. He is typically the muscle behind the Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles trio.
However, the first film was a new continuity from any of the game. Audiences did briefly see a tribe of echidnas chasing after a baby Sonic and his guardian Longclaw in the film’s opening. Will this mean Sonic will have a grudge to bear with Knuckles? What of the other echidnas?
Elba most recently stared in The Suicide Squad as Bloodsport. Audiences may recognize him as Heimdall from the Marvel films, and from Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw, Cats, Zootopia, Pacific Rim; and from the smaller screen including In the Long Run, Luther, and The Wire. Will Elba keep his cockney British accent, or will he speak with an American one as Knuckles has in the past appearances?
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 premiers April 8th, 2022. In case you missed it, you can find our review for the first film here (we recommend it!)
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