The latest poster for Paramount’s upcoming sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, quite clearly shows that the production team has learned their lesson after that infamous botched character design that occurred with the first movie. This time around, the creators behind the big-screen Sonic franchise want to make it crystal clear that they do indeed love the video game series, with the poster paying tribute to the classic box art for the 1992 video game of the same name.

Shared to social media by Sonic the Hedgehog 2 star Ben Schwartz, the actor wrote a caption alongside the poster which should leave fans feeling very assured that the sequel will homage the video games more than enough to satisfy; “WE UNDERSTOOD THE ASSIGNMENT. NEW POSTER FOR #SONICMOVIE2.”

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

Released in 2020, the first Sonic the Hedgehog suffered a bill of millions of dollars after redesigning its title character. While the live-action version of the character made his debut with terrifying human teeth and bizarre eyes, production decided to return to the drawing board following an outcry from fans. Not wanting to make a similar mistake this time around, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will look to the games for inspiration, with this latest poster wonderfully demonstrating just how closely they are indeed looking.

The first Sonic the Hedgehog proved to be far more successful than many had expected, grossing $319.7 million worldwide and becoming the sixth-highest-grossing movie of the year. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will pick up with Sonic following the events of the first outing. Sonic has been living his life in Green Hills and is determined to make his mark as a hero. Unfortunately, he has quickly grown bored with hiding and persuades his friends Tom and Maddie to let him house sit for them when they go on vacation. Of course, as soon as they leave, Doctor Eggman returns from the mushroom planet in search for the Master Emerald to conquer the world and exact revenge against Sonic.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Will Introduce Both Tails & Knuckles

     Paramount Pictures

In the sequel, Dr. Robotnik and Sonic will not face each other alone. Both will be given a sidekick, with Sonic teaming up with beloved character Miles “Tails” Prower, while Robotnik will be assisted by the fan-favorite character, Knuckles the Red Echidna. Both characters will feature prominently in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, with a spinoff project already planned for Knuckles.

Directed by Jeff Fowler and written by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 stars Ben Schwartz returning as the voice of Sonic, with the rest of the cast consisting of James Marsden as Tom Wachowsk, Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski, Natasha Rothwell as Rachel, Adam Pally as Wade Whipple, Jim Carrey as Dr. Ivo “Eggman” Robotnik, and Shemar Moore, with Idris Elba voicing Knuckles and Colleen O’Shaughnessey voicing Tails.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on April 8, 2022, by Paramount Pictures in association with Sega Sammy Group. A third Sonic the Hedgehog movie is also now in development.