Paramount looking to build Sonic Cinematic Universe

Run it, run it to DEATH

This coming Friday will see the cinematic debut of Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and — by preview accounts — it’s not too bad a flick. A little tropey and a little predictable is what I’m hearing, but it’s Sonic the Hedgehog 2 starring Jim Carrey and Tails, not The Florida Project, so it’s fine.

It seems that Paramount is already bagging on a big future for Sonic and his pals on the silver screen, with the new movie’s producer, Toby Ascher, openly stating that the team is looking to build a “Sonic Cinematic Universe,” introducing more characters and offering (sonic) spin-off movies/TV properties featuring some of the series’ bit players, such as Sonic’s red rival, Knuckles.

“[The first movie] was a great experience for us as filmmakers, and as movie lovers,” said Paramount producer Neal H. Moritz, who has clearly put the Legs & Teeth saga behind him. “Now, we’re even more excited to expand that world, adding new characters, bigger worlds, a new, incredible journey, and more action and adventure. There are so many places we can go with Sonic.”

The first Sonic the Hedgehog movie launched in February 2020, following on from reshoots that, essentially, saved the movie from oblivion. Arriving in the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie was released in theaters and on home streaming services, where it racked up an incredible $300 million USD against a $90 million budget. Given Sonic’s movie success, it’s no wonder that Paramount is getting set to throw all of its chips in with The Blue Blur and his supposed cinematic universe.

Is the world ready for a gritty Big the Cat TV series? How about an Agent Rogue noir movie?

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 premieres in UK theaters April 1, with North America to follow on April 8.

Chris Moyse

Senior Editor – Chris has been playing video games since the 1980s. Former Saturday Night Slam Master. Graduated from Galaxy High with honors. Twitter: @ChrisxMoyse