Sonic the Hedgehog 2 introduced in additional of the franchise’s lore that Sega has been construction on through the years; now not simply within the type of the Blue Blur’s pals Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessy) and Knuckles (Idris Elba), however the Grasp Emerald that serves as the motive force at the back of a number of Sonic video games. With a third film and Knuckles spinoff already greenlit, the query amongst lovers has naturally develop into what different parts from the video games shall be integrated into long term live-action subject material. And should you noticed the movie’s post-credits scenes, you know that the 3rd movie goes to usher in one of the vital franchise’s greatest gamers.
Following Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails’ defeat of Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), the army is cleansing up the aftermath of the combat when G.U.N. commander Walters (Tom Butler) is knowledgeable of a analysis facility housing a a long time previous undertaking. The digital camera cuts to that facility, the place the take a look at matter—Shadow the Hedgehog—is contained. The movie ends on Shadow waking up and opening his crimson, energized eyes. Offered in 2001’s Sonic Journey 2, Shadow is thought of as one in every of Sonic’s largest opponents and stocks many equivalent characteristics. However he used to be designed to be “the Final Lifeform” to offer protection to humanity, and his strategies ceaselessly put him at odds with Sonic and corporate. He’s develop into a fan favourite, and at one level even headlined his personal sport that’s a little of a cult vintage and has a killer opening song.
In an contemporary interview at the Inexperienced Hill Zone podcast, the movie’s co-writer Pat Casey mentioned what to anticipate from Shadow when he displays as much as make bother for Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles within the subsequent movie. When requested, Casey admitted that the principle reason why he used to be the movie’s post-credits stinger used to be basically as a result of his reputation, and in addition as a result of what he may carry to the flicks going ahead. Casey described him as “pushed via anger and revenge,” very similar to Knuckles, however the important thing distinction is that Shadow isn’t misunderstood just like the crimson echidna used to be within the sequel. Shadow used to be created with the high purpose of offer protection to the sector from threat, nevertheless it’s the way in which he is going about that that may put him at odds with Sonic and pals.
Casey additionally teased that Sonic’s efforts to connect to Shadow wouldn’t be reasonably as simple because it used to be with Tails and Knuckles. “Sonic’s by no means needed to handle any person as emotionally broken like Shadow…when he sees Shadow, he’s like, ‘Neatly, I’ll simply educate him in regards to the energy of friendship, like with Knuckles!’ However that’s now not going to paintings on Shadow.” For lovers of the franchise, it’s an enchanting factor to mention, for the reason that Shadow’s want to offer protection to humanity stems from witnessing the demise of his good friend Maria by the hands of G.U.N. With how Sonic 2 makes transparent that G.U.N. shall be an issue going ahead, it seems like a little extra darker sequel is within the playing cards for the Blue Blur and corporate.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is in theaters.
Need extra io9 information? Take a look at when to be expecting the most recent Marvel and Star Wars releases, what’s subsequent for the DC Universe on film and TV, and the whole lot you want to find out about House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
