Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (film)

• Ben Schwartz as Sonic the Hedgehog: An anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who can run at supersonic speeds.[4][5]
• Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Miles "Tails" Prower: A young anthropomorphic fox who can fly with his two tails. O'Shaughnessey is the only voice cast member from the Sonic the Hedgehog games to reprise their role for the film.[6][7]
• Idris Elba as Knuckles the Echidna: An anthropomorphic hot-headed yet gullible red echidna who collaborates with Doctor Eggman to find the Master Emerald.[5]

• Jim Carrey as Doctor Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik: A mad scientist and Sonic's archenemy.[8]
• James Marsden as Tom Wachowski: The sheriff of Green Hills, Montana and Sonic's friend.[9]
• Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski: Tom's veterinarian wife.[9]
• Adam Pally as Wade Whipple: Tom's chief deputy.[9]
• Natasha Rothwell as Rachel: Maddie's older sister who dislikes Tom.[4]
• Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone: Eggman's assistant.[10]

Additionally, Shemar Moore will appear in an undisclosed role.[11]

By April 2020, Marsden had expressed his interest in a sequel featuring several characters from the video games, including Tails, who appeared in a mid-credits scene in the first film.[12] Director Jeff Fowler also expressed interest in developing a sequel that focused on Sonic and Tails' friendship and further developed Dr. Robotnik.[13] Later that month, Schwartz said that he felt it made sense for Paramount Pictures to not have announced a sequel by that point due to the COVID-19 pandemic, also adding that he was interested in a sequel featuring Tails and a more game-accurate portrayal of Robotnik.[14] Later that month, Sonic the Hedgehog co-writer Pat Casey revealed that there had been talks about a sequel, though the film had not been greenlit by Paramount by that point.[15] He also said that Carrey was interested in wearing a fat suit in a sequel to more closely resemble Robotnik's video game appearance.[15] Casey also hinted that a sequel could feature Sonic's "Super Sonic" form and the Chaos Emeralds from the video games, also expressing a desire to introduce the character of Knuckles the Echidna, whose existence was hinted at with the echidna tribe seen during the first film's opening sequence.[15]

In May, Paramount Pictures confirmed that a sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog was in development, with Fowler set to return as director alongside writers Casey and Josh Miller.[16] Neal H. Mortiz, Toby Ascher, and Toru Nakahara will produce the sequel, having previously co-produced the first film alongside Takeshi Ito, while Tim Miller, Hajime Satomi, and Haruki Satomi will return from the first film as executive producers.[16]

In December, it was confirmed by storyboard artist Fill Marc that artist Tyson Hesse, who redesigned the character of Sonic in the first film, would return.[17] The film's title was officially announced as Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in February 2021.[18] In May, a synopsis of Sonic the Hedgehog 2's story was released as Paramount submitted a patent to the U.S. Copyright Office catalog.[5]

On January 27, 2020, Jim Carrey expressed interest in starring in a sequel, feeling that his character, the villain Dr. Robotnik, could be expanded in the sequel: "I wouldn't mind going to do another one because it was so much fun, first of all, and a real challenge to try to convince people that I have a triple-digit IQ... There is so much room, you know, Robotnik has not reached his apotheosis."[19] On March 6, 2020, Sonic the Hedgehog star James Marsden confirmed that he had signed on for multiple sequels.[20]

On January 26, 2021, Tika Sumpter announced that she would reprise her role as Maddie Wachowski.[21] In March 2021, it was announced that Ben Schwartz and Jim Carrey would reprise their roles as Sonic and Robotnik respectively.[9][8] In April 2021, James Marsden was confirmed to return as Tom Wachowski.[9][8] On June 16, 2021, it was announced that Shemar Moore had joined the cast in an undisclosed role.[11][22] On August 10, 2021, it was announced that Idris Elba had officially joined the cast as the voice of Knuckles the Echidna.[4] On September 29, 2021, it was announced that Lee Majdoub would reprise his role as Agent Stone.[10] On December 7, 2021, Colleen O'Shaughnessey announced she will return to voice Miles "Tails" Prower.[7]

In December 2020, it was reported that the BC Film Commission had listed that the production of the film would occur from March 15 to May 10, 2021, under the working title Emerald Hill, a reference to the opening zone in the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 video game.[23] In January 2021, Tika Sumpter revealed that the film would shoot in both Vancouver and Hawaii.[21]

Principal photography began in Vancouver on March 15, 2021, with Brandon Trost serving as cinematographer.[9] As a way to show his gratitude to the crew, Carrey held a raffle on May 7 in order to give away a Chevrolet Blazer; the car was eventually given to a grip.[24] Filming in Vancouver concluded on May 12, 2021.[25] Filming wrapped in Hawaii on June 25, 2021.[26]

Visual effects and animation for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will be provided by Moving Picture Company, after previously working on the first film.[27] John Whittington was announced as co-screenwriter in August 10, 2021.[4]

On December 8, 2021, Tom Holkenborg, who composed the first movie, was announced to be returning to compose the film's score.[28]