How The Sonic Franchise Chooses Which Game Characters To Introduce Explained By Producer

Summary

• Toby Ascher discusses how the
  Sonic the Hedgehog
  franchise selects which game characters to introduce based on story expansion and future potential.
• The movie adaptations have yet to feature popular characters like Amy Rose, Rouge the Bat, Big the Cat, Cream the Rabbit, and Metal Sonic, among many others.
• With
  Sonic the Hedgehog 3
  introducing new characters like Shadow and Maria Robotnik, fans look forward to seeing more key game characters.

With multiple iconic figures already part of the adaptations, producer Toby Ascher explains how the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise chooses which video game characters to introduce. The movies based on the beloved SEGA platformer franchise have been a surprise hit since launching with the 2020 installment, which garnered generally positive reviews and was a box office success. Ahead of the third movie in the franchise, the property is growing with the Knuckles TV show, which will focus on the titular echidna and Adam Pally’s Wade on a road trip.

During an interview with Screen Rant for Knuckles, Toby Ascher was asked how the creative team behind the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise choose which video game characters to introduce. The producer explained that it ultimately comes down to how the story best suits expanding the universe, while also assuring that talks are always ongoing about other characters making their way to the screen. See what Ascher explained below:

I think we talk a lot about how the different characters in the Sonic universe fit into the movie and television franchise. I think it’s about trying to find the right spots for them as we move forward. I don’t think there’s a character in the Sonic world that isn’t being discussed right now, and how they could fit in into the future, which is really exciting.

Which Sonic Characters Have Yet To Appear In The Adaptations?

With 24 mainline titles to its name, the Sonic the Hedgehog game franchise has seen a large roster of characters introduced, the majority of whom have yet to be seen in the movies. The first movie largely kept the focus on the titular hedgehog and Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik, while using its mid-credits scene to set up the arrival of Tails for the sequel. Not only did the flying fox become a key character in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, but Knuckles also became a main player, while the ending set up Shadow the Hedgehog’s arrival in the next installment.

Heading into Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the only two confirmed new game characters slated to arrive in the franchise are Shadow, voiced by Keanu Reeves, and Maria Robotnik, the young cousin to Carrey’s beloved villain who is a close ally of Shadow. With it looking like Knuckles will only be introducing Sonic Adventure‘s Pachacamac the Echidna to the fold, the upcoming threequel may be the true point for other characters to appear. One of the most theorized is that of Amy Rose, Sonic’s self-proclaimed girlfriend frequently seen in the games.

Other major Sonic the Hedgehog characters yet to be introduced in the adaptations include Rouge the Bat, Big the Cat, Cream the Rabbit and Metal Sonic. Given how much the prior movies have seen Robotnik keen on matching the titular hedgehog’s abilities, his metal equivalent could be a key antagonist in the near future, particularly if his team-up with Shadow doesn’t work out in his favor. With multiple new cast members joining Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in undisclosed roles, including Jessica Jones‘ Krysten Ritter, it will be interesting to see which other game characters may be introduced.

The first two Sonic the Hedgehog movies are available to stream on Paramount+.

• 

  Sonic the Hedgehog 3

  Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the sequel to the 2022 comedy-adventure movie that featured the Blue Blur and his companions on an adventure to stop Dr. Robotnik from taking over the world. The new film sees the new antagonist Shadow the Hedgehog, arriving to cause trouble for the newly formed trio of heroes, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, as they adjust to their earthly lives.

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  Knuckles

  Knuckles is a spin-off of the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise created for Paramount+. Idris Elba reprises his role as Knuckles the Echidna in the action-adventure series, and the show will follow him on a new adventure as he meets new allies and faces new foes.