The Tails' Channel fansite has obtained the first batch of set photos from Sonic the Hedgehog 2, offering a first look at the returning stars James Marsden (X-Men; Westworld) and Tika Sumpter (Mixed-ish; Ride Along) in Fort Langley, as well as stand-in props for Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles - all of whom seem to be highly video game-accurate.
The final product will, of course, render the characters digitally, but this should give us a pretty good idea of what to expect, and it really looks like director Jeff Fowler has once again knocked the character designs out of the park.
In addition to the photos, JACK 96.9 Vancouver has shared a fun video of fellow returning face, the 2x Golden Globe-nominated Jim Carrey, as he takes flight as Doctor Eggman.
While Primetime Emmy-winner Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation; House of Lies) will return to voice the titular hedgehog, there haven't been any casting reports about Tails or Knuckles just yet. Colleen O'Shaughnessey, the voice of Tails in the video game series, reprised her role in the previous film's mid-credits scene, but her status for the sequel remains uncertain. It was also recently rumored that Aquaman star Jason Momoa had been offered the role of Knuckles, but nothing's been confirmed on that front, either.
Sonic the Hedgehog is the fifth highest-grossing video game movie in cinematic history and also holds the record for the biggest opening weekend ever for a video game movie adaptation, fourth-best President's Day holiday weekend ever, and Jim Carrey's second-biggest opening weekend ever. It also finished 2020 as the highest-grossing "superhero" film of the year, the highest-grossing film based on a video game domestically, and the sixth-highest grossing film of the year globally.
Jeff Fowler is back in the director's chair, with a screenplay from returning scribes Pat Casey and Josh Miller. Production will reportedly begin in Vancouver before moving to Hawaii for the latter part of its schedule.
Also, in case you missed it, be sure to check out my recent interview with star Ben Schwartz and see what he very briefly had to say about the sequel's script near the end of our Flora & Ulysses conversation. Also, please like and subscribe!
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is expected to speed into theaters April 8, 2022.