Yahoo News Paramount+ Punches Up First ‘Knuckles’ Trailer with Idris Elba in ‘Sonic’ Spinoff Series
You gotta go fast when you’re building a franchise, and Paramount Pictures has been moving like a speedy blue blur in racing out its live-action spinoff series of the “Sonic the Hedgehog” film, “Knuckles.”
“Knuckles” will bridge the gap between “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” and the upcoming third film, and this series gives a look into the adventures of the red, punch-happy Echidna warrior Knuckles, with Idris Elba reprising his voice role from the second film.
More from IndieWire
Ahead of a Super Bowl spot that will air during the CBS and Nickelodeon broadcasts (Knuckles and friends will even make an appearance during the kids’ version) of the big game, Paramount+ has dropped the first trailer for “Knuckles” and announced all episodes of the series will be available to stream in the U.S. and Canada beginning April 26. It will hit additional territories the following day and Japan later this year.
The series follows Knuckles as he agrees to train Wade Whipple, Adam Pally’s character from the “Sonic” films, as his protégé and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior.
The series boasts some impressive guest stars in its ensemble, including Stockard Channing, Edi Patterson, Scott Mescudi, Ellie Taylor, Julian Barratt, Rory McCann, Cary Elwes, Paul Scheer, Rob Heubel, and even the legendary Christopher Lloyd. Ben Schwartz will show up as Sonic as will Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Tails, and Tika Sumpter reprising her role as Maddie.
Jeff Fowler, who directed both “Sonic” films, directed the pilot episode, and creative talent including Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, John Whittington, and Toru Nakahara all serve as executive producers alongside Idris Elba. Additional directors for the series include Ged Wright, Brandon Trost, Jorma Taccone, and Carol Banker.
The series was created for television by John Whittington and Toby Ascher, who is showrunning during production. Whittington, who wrote “Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” serves as head writer and wrote the pilot for the series. Additional series writers include Brian Schacter and James Madejski.
The “Sonic” films as based on the Sega video game franchise have been a family-friendly hit for Paramount Pictures and helped launch the renewed interest in video game films, bringing in a combined $752.2 million at the global box office, and the sequel has performed well in streaming on Paramount+. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” hits theaters December 20, 2024.
Check out the trailer below.
Best of IndieWire
The Best LGBTQ Movies and TV Shows Streaming on Netflix Right Now
Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 54 Films the Director Wants You to See
Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See
Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
