SEGA and Paramount Announce Third 'Sonic the Hedgehog' Film, 'Knuckles' Spinoff Series With Idris Elba

SEGA Corp and Paramount Pictures have officially announced the third Sonic the Hedgehog film and a Knuckles-focused spinoff series with Idris Elba.

The news was announced during this week’s Viacom Investor Event — about two months before Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which will mark Elba’s debut as Knuckles, hits theaters on April 8. Reports additionally state that Elba’s Knuckles spinoff on Paramount+, which is described as the “first-ever original live-action Sonic series,” will premiere in 2023.

“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 CEO Haruki Satomi said. “2022 is shaping up to be a significant year for the franchise with the second film being released this April, as well as Sonic Frontiers, the highly anticipated video game title, coming this holiday. Sonic has been beloved by fans across the world for over 30 years and we look forward to continuing to bring memorable moments and experiences to them for many years to come.”

“For more than three decades, Sonic the Hedgehog’s universe of vibrant, unique characters has generated one of the most passionate fanbases,” Brian Robbins, President and CEO, Paramount Pictures & Nickelodeon; Chief Content Officer, Movies, Kids & Family of Paramount+, added. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Sega, Neal Moritz, and all our creative partners as we explore additive ways to holistically scale the Sonic the Hedgehogfranchise across platforms and captivate its loyal audience around the world.”

“The world of Sonic the Hedgehog has been capturing imaginations for decades, 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,” producer Neal H. Moritz shared.

Sonic the Hedgehog broke several box office records and became the domestic market’s top-grossing video game adaptation of all time. Ben Schwartz will reprise his role as the voice of Sonic, along with James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Tika Sumpter, Adam Pally, Natasha Rothwell, Lee Majdou and Colleen O’Shaughnessey.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 premieres April 8.

Elsewhere in entertainment, Netflix has announced its movie adaptation of BioShock.