SONIC THE HEDGEHOG Director Reveals Why Knuckles Doesn't Make An Appearance In The Movie

There was no sign of Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog, but director Jeff Fowler has now shed some light on why that was while also teasing plans for a possible appearance from him in the rumoured sequel...

By JoshWilding - Feb 28, 2020 01:02 AM EST

Filed Under: Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog sets the stage for a fan-favourite video game character to make an appearance in the sequel, but there was no sign of Knuckles in the movie. Now, though, director Jeff Fowler has shed some light on why the character was excluded from this first instalment, and puts it down to wanting to focus on the lead hero and villain (Jim Carrey's Dr. Robotnik).

"For this first film, we really were just looking at the 1991 game and just see where it all started and just keep it simple," Fowler tells ComicBook.com. "Just try to nail Sonic and Robotnik and just set up their rivalry. There's a lot of great characters in the Sonic universe, but it's the most important thing is just to get Sonic set up and just tell a little bit of an origin story with him, and just do it in a way that really makes everyone fall in love with him as a character and just be rooting for more."

"And then, if all that goes well, then we can kind of open it up and bring in some of these other characters that fans know and love," he teased. "And yeah, I mean, no one's more excited than me to have that opportunity."

There's a lot of excitement surrounding where the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise goes next, and seeing as the first instalment has massively exceeded expectations at the box office, it probably won't be long until an official announcement about a sequel is made.

The first film definitely dropped some hints about a possible appearance from Knuckles, so the follow-up embracing the games and making it clear that Sonic isn't alone should be fun to see.

Are you hoping to see Knuckles in the Sonic the Hedgehog sequel?

Hit the "Next" button below to take a look at the best
Easter Eggs, references, and cameos in the movie!

Some Familiar Villains

The movie kicks off in Sonic's home, a land that's clearly based on the Green Hills Zone from the original video game. However, his peaceful life doesn't last long as a group known as the Echidnas soon attack. It's important to note that Knuckles was a member of the Echidna Clan, but the group here seem to be based on the Nocturnus Clan.

They rule over a realm called the Twilight Cage and have some pretty nefarious plans for Earth.

Why they want Sonic is hard to say, but if we had to hazard a guess, they would certainly make a pretty fitting choice of villains in the sequel (especially if they're looking to steal those rings).

The Flash Comic Books

Sonic has a lot of cool hobbies, and seems to be fascinated (understandably so) with speed. As a result, it's hardly a surprise that he's shown reading comic books featuring The Flash!

DC Comics' Scarlet Speedster is a much more fitting choice than Quicksilver - that pile of comics would be pretty small if Sonic was only reading his solo adventures - and it's easy to see why Sonic would be a fan. Perhaps most surprising is that Warner Bros. happily greenlit this particular reference.

Sonic's Race Car Bed

The movie ends with Sonic being asked to live with Tom and Maddie, and they present the hero with his own bedroom in their loft. Look closely during that sequence, and you'll notice that they've got him a race car shaped bed, something which you might dismiss as a nod to the aforementioned racing games the SEGA character has starred in over the years.

While that's entirely possible, this is more likely a hat tip to the Sonic the Hedgehog comic book series which also used to see Sonic kick back and take some naps in a bed shaped like that!

"Sanic"

Sonic has become something of an urban myth in his home of Green Hills on Earth and only one of the town's residents believes he's real (mostly because the speedster enjoys toying with him).

That's "Crazy Carl," and a drawing he's done of Sonic looks eerily familiar. That's because it's based on that weird Sanic the Hedgehog meme which was started after YouTuber 0nyxheart uploaded his drawing a decade ago. It's an unexpected nod, but one meme lovers will appreciate.

Oh, and that "Blue Devil" nickmane is likely a reference to the car he drives in those racing games.

A Familiar Logo

While Sonic is hanging out in his cave, he plays around with some nunchuks and dons a headband.

Well, look closely at that and you'll notice that it's emblazoned with the character's classic logo...the only thing that's missing is Sonic himself! This is a fun throwback to his video games, but another comes in a slightly less obvious fashion which is definitely a highlight here.

While the gold rings in this movie are used to travel between worlds and locations, almost every time Sonic is hit, he drops them and that's a nod to what happens in the games.

The Chaos Emerald

Before seemingly being killed by the Nocturnus Clan, Longclaw gives Sonic a map directing him to Earth and that mushroom planet (which is another level from the games).

However, look closely at that and you'll notice a mention of the Chaos Emerald.

That mystical gem - and the seven others like it - have played a huge role in the video games, and they've since become the franchise's go-to MacGuffins. It's possible this reference will pay off in the sequel as this might be another reason that Clan was targeting Sonic.

"BADNIKS"

By the time the post-credits scene rolls around, Dr. Robotnik has become the "Eggman" we know and hate from the video games. However, there are some early hints about his transformation.

After the power surge which shuts his ride down, Robotnik searches for a control panel to reboot the system, and a label can be seen which says "BADNIKS" on it. That's a reference to Eggman's original robots, and quite possibly something we can look forward to seeing in the sequel.

Sonic's Love Of Chilli Dogs

This is a fun one.

Sonic is show to be a huge fan of chilli dogs in this movie, and that's another concept which was introduced in the Archie Comics Sonic the Hedgehog series. Later, that was added to the animated series as well, and both Sonic and Tails would frequently eat them...and nothing else!

Added to the video game franchise with Sonic Unleashed, they've stuck around ever since.

A Familiar Animation

If you've played enough Sonic video games, then you'll know that the speedster's "idle animation" is him putting his hands on his hips and tapping his foot impatiently.

Well, when time slows down around the iconic video game character as Robotnik shoots those missiles at him, Sonic recreates that exact same animation from the games.

Tails

Sonic the Hedgehog is an absolute blast, but the movie definitely would have benefited from spending a little more time on the hero's homeworld. Thankfully, it looks like that could be a strong possibility in the sequel because the post-credits scene introduces us to beloved icon, Tails.

Armed with a tracking device, he seemingly wants to bring Sonic home and is shown using his familiar flying power thanks to the tail he can spin around exactly like a helicopter. It's an awesome visual nod to the games and it's clear now that Tails will be a key player in the eventual follow-up.

Product Placement

Sonic's sneakers may look like they've been lifted straight from the games, but when Tom's niece presents them to him, you'll see that they boast tiny Puma tabs. Before the character was redesigned, he was going to wear actual Puma sneakers which can presumably be bought in stores.

There's a lot of product placement in the movie, though, including frequent mentions of Olive Garden!

"Gotta Go Fast!"

As you might expect, Sonic's iconic catchphrase finds its way into the movie when he's woken up by Tom's wife with smelling salts. It's a fun nod to the games and a clever way of including it.

Equally as fun is seeing Sonic perform a patented spin dash in the movie while he's facing off with some of Robotnik's creations during that standout chase with Tom on the highway.

KNUCKLES: Paramount+ SONIC Spin-Off Hits Rotten Tomatoes; New Clips Released

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29 Comments

DeadWade213 - 2/28/2020, 1:30 AM

Hopefully we see Knuckles and Metal Sonic.

Vigor - 2/28/2020, 3:21 AM

@DeadWade213 - the only two I want to see

HannibalLecter - 2/28/2020, 10:52 AM

@DeadWade213 - Hell yeah, maybe even the Death Egg.

MahN166A - 2/28/2020, 4:16 AM

The sequel should set up the Chaos Emeralds and tease us with Chaos from Sonic Adventure.

I am hoping for Robotnik to try and manipulate/recruit Knuckles to help him fight Sonic and make Sonic seem like the bad guy so he can get the Chaos Emeralds. That would be nice.

Chaos200 - 2/28/2020, 3:24 PM

@SatsuiNoJXA - they should save knuckles for the third movie set up the chaos emeralds and metal sonic and super sonic. Then Knuckles and the master emerald and angel island in the third movie.

M3T4LL0 - 2/28/2020, 5:38 AM

Thanks for the spoiler warning josh..

MyCoolYoung - 2/28/2020, 5:57 AM

You didn't include him because you hate us! *overreacting tone* I hope it gets to the point where it's adapting story beats from sonic battle 2

geekarchitect - 2/28/2020, 8:32 AM

I actually enjoyed the movie. I thought those guys who attacked Sonic at the beginning of the film had the likeness of Knuckles.

HannibalLecter - 2/28/2020, 10:54 AM

@geekarchitect - I bet Sonic & Knuckles are going to fight when they first met because of that.

HannibalLecter - 2/28/2020, 10:56 AM

Personally I like the core cast of the Sonic games and I wouldn't mind if they add them to the movies BIT BY BIT. For the next one Tails, Knuckle, Amy and maybe Metal Sonic would be fine.

Vadakin - 2/28/2020, 2:38 PM

Knuckles should be introduced at the end of the second film, confronting Robotnik when he crashes on Angel Island.

The first movie opens with echidnas hunting Sonic. That can be expanded on. Maybe they were after him because they thought his power could be used to recharge the Master Emerald. When they failed to capture him, their civilisation collapsed, leaving Knuckles, who was a young child at the time, alone on Angel Island.

The second movie would see Robotnik making his way to Mobius and hunting for the Chaos Emeralds. After Sonic defeats him, he crashes on Angel Island, being confronted by an older Knuckles and then the third film would see Sonic and Tails returning the Chaos Emeralds to Angel Island only to discover that Robotnik has teamed up with Knuckles...so basically an adaptation of Sonic 3 and Knuckles. ending with Knuckles realising that Sonic isn't the villain Robotnik made him out to be, with Sonic harnessing the power of the emeralds to become Super Sonic, take down Robotnik and help Angel Island ascend to the clouds once more.

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SONIC THE HEDGEHOG Director Reveals Why Knuckles Doesn't Make An Appearance In The Movie

There was no sign of Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog, but director Jeff Fowler has now shed some light on why that was while also teasing plans for a possible appearance from him in the rumoured sequel...

Some Familiar Villains

The Flash Comic Books

Sonic's Race Car Bed

"Sanic"

A Familiar Logo

The Chaos Emerald

"BADNIKS"

Sonic's Love Of Chilli Dogs

A Familiar Animation

Tails

Product Placement

"Gotta Go Fast!"

KNUCKLES: Paramount+ SONIC Spin-Off Hits Rotten Tomatoes; New Clips Released

JOHN WICK Star Keanu Reeves Will Voice Shadow In SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3

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JOHN WICK Star Keanu Reeves Will Voice Shadow In SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 CinemaCon Footage Description Confirms Fan-Pleasing Change To Jim Carrey's Dr. Robotnik

KNUCKLES: Paramount+ SONIC Spin-Off Hits Rotten Tomatoes; New Clips Released

JOHN WICK Star Keanu Reeves Will Voice Shadow In SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 CinemaCon Footage Description Confirms Fan-Pleasing Change To Jim Carrey's Dr. Robotnik

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