Director Sonic 2 talks about Idris Elba as Knuckles Echidna

When Idris Elba was announced as Knuckles Echidna for the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the internet has lost its mind on the idea of ​​the voice of the British inhabiting the role of a mammal with large donkeys. Given how sometimes voice roles can see actors from the A or B list don’t actually give their best, there were also concerns that this was happening here. But it sounds like, like some of Elba’s recent work, he will invest and enjoy it.

Talking to Polygon Shortly after the trailer was released earlier in the week, director Jeff Fowler discussed how Elba asked about lore and the character’s motivation to really get into the way of thinking knuckly … uh, Knuckles. Elba, he said, searched for Knuckles’ “background and identity and found everything the actor needed to create a character and a kind of craft performance,” Fowler said. “He wanted to absorb it all and develop it into the best version of the character.” He thinks Elba has succeeded in the performance and hopes fans will be thrilled to see the character’s journey through the film.

Since the sequel is set shortly after the first film, Echidna serves as a challenge for the hedgehog as he tries to make a living as a hero. Knuckles will eventually become one of Sonic’s best friends from the enemy, but first, of course, they have to go for it. Fowler pointed out that since Knuckles is a true warrior, he will surpass Sonic in most of their fights. Fowler compared these battles to the fights we saw between Captain America and Iron Man: “It only offers so many opportunities in terms of combat choreography and action … You have Sonic’s speed, you have Knuckles’ super power, and we just put them in the environment and let them go. them in it. ”

Fowler further described the character as “a natural force, and Sonic is at first out of his element because Knuckles is more than he can bendle – it felt like such dramatic material and such a great foundation for building a film story. ” It’s good that Sonic will have Colleen O’Shaughnessey’s Tails to support him, then.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 hits theaters on April 8, 2022.

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