Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has yet to hit cinemas, but Paramount and Sega are already making moves to get a third film and a live-action television series to screens as quickly as possible.
A third live-action/CG Sonic movie is officially in the works at Paramount Pictures and Sega Corp, while a live-action TV series focused on the character of Knuckles is in development for streaming service Paramount+. Idris Elba is voicing Knuckles the Echidna in the upcoming sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 2, set to be released in cinemas in April.
Paramount Pictures & Nickelodeon President and CEO Brian Robbins made the announcement during a Viacom (now with a name change to Paramount) Investor Event. No word as yet on the creative teams behind the threequel and series.
Said Sega CEO Haruki Satomi: “We are delighted to announce that the third Sonic theatrical film and the first live-action Sonic series for Paramount+ are being actively developed. We’ve got a remarkable partnership with Paramount, and we are excited to continue expanding the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise with them.”
Sega is looking to make this year a big chapter for the Sonic brand. Not only is the film sequel being released, there’s also the new video game title, Sonic Frontiers, set to be released during the holiday season.
“The world of Sonic the Hedgehog has been capturing imaginations for decades,” said Neal H. Moritz, producer of the Sonic the Hedgehog films, “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. 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.”
Directed by Jeff Fowler and starring James Marsden and Jim Carrey, with Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog was released to positive reviews and strong box office success, earning just under $US320 million worldwide from a budget of around $US85 million. Sonic the Hedgehog 2, also directed by Fowler and with the aforementioned leads returning, will open in Australia on March 31st and in the U.S. on April 8th.
Source: Deadline
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