Sonic vs. Knuckles (Johnsonverse)

Sonic vs. Knuckles is a 2022 action-adventure comedy film based on the video game series published by Sega, and the sequel to Sonic the Movie (2020). Directed by Chloe Johnson and written by her and Tim Johnson, the film stars Ryan Drummond, Mike Pollock, Lee Majdoub, Ian James Corlett, Phil Hayes, Garry Chalk, and Jaleel White all reprising their roles, with Colleen O'Shaughnessey and Dan Green joining the cast. In the film, Sonic tries to prove himself as a hero, but his big test comes when the evil Doctor Robotnik returns, alongside his new rival, Knuckles the Echidna, in search of the Master Emerald.
Following the success of the first film, Johnson Studios announced the sequel in May 2020, with Johnson returning as director, and Drummond, Pollock, and the rest of the main cast reprised their roles.
Sonic vs. Knuckles was theatrically released in several markets on March 30, 2022, and in the United States on April 8, by Johnson Films and Sega Corporation. The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised its action sequences, humor, screenplay, and performances. Many critics considered the film an improvement over its predecessor. It grossed $402.7 million worldwide, becoming, at the time, the highest-grossing video game film in the United States until the following year's The Super Mario Bros. Movie. A third film titled Sonic Adventure is scheduled for a December 20, 2024 release, while a spin-off miniseries starring Knuckles is scheduled to be released in April 2024.
==Plot==
Roughly eight months after defeating Dr. Robotnik, Sonic attempts to help the public as a vigilante hero with little success. Flicky advises Sonic to remain patient for the day his powers will be needed. 
One night, Sonic is attacked by Robotnik and Coconuts, who have escaped the mushroom planet with the help of a powerful anthropomorphic echidna named Knuckles. To honor his ancestors, Knuckles demands the location of the legendary Master Emerald, an ancient relic that grants its user immense power and the ability to change reality to their will.
Sonic is rescued by Miles "Tails" Prower, an anthropomorphic two-tailed fox who idolizes him and comes to warn him about Knuckles. Sonic convinces Tails to help him find the Master Emerald, while Robotnik and Coconuts reunite with Scratch, Grounder, and lead assistant Stone and, scheming to steal the emerald, offer to help Knuckles. Meanwhile, Sonic and Tails follow clues to an icy cave on a map Longclaw gave Sonic before sending him to Mobius, where they find a compass within a temple. Robotnik, Coconuts, and Knuckles track them and chase Sonic and Tails down a mountain. Knuckles reveals that he lost his father and his whole tribe the same day Sonic lost Longclaw. Despite this brief moment of sympathy, Knuckles, Robotnik, and Coconuts steal the compass, though Knuckles begins to question Robotnik's sense of loyalty and honor when he mocks Sonic for choosing to save a wounded Tails instead of the compass. 
Flicky saves Sonic and Tails by using a ring to teleport them to a diner at Station Square. All the patrons and employees reveal themselves as undercover agents of the Guardian Units of Nations and arrest Sonic, Tails, and Flicky, who are then saved by the other animals. Meanwhile, Robotnik, Coconuts and Knuckles find an underwater temple containing the Master Emerald. 
Blaming himself for Tails' injuries, Sonic decides to face Robotnik, Coconuts, and Knuckles alone and goes to the temple, where he fights with Knuckles to keep him from taking the Master Emerald. Seeing this as an opportunity, Robotnik and Coconuts use the distraction to seize and fuse themselves with the emerald, which explodes and sinks the temple into the water. With no use left for Knuckles, Robotnik and Coconuts betray him and leave him, along with Sonic, behind for dead. Working together, Sonic and Knuckles are able to escape just as Tails rescues them in a biplane. In Green Hill, Robotnik uses his new abilities to create a giant robot resembling himself. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles work together to fight the robot and its accompanying drones and to reclaim the Master Emerald; however, it breaks, splitting into the seven Chaos Emeralds. Flicky and the animals save Sonic, who uses the Chaos Emeralds to transform into Super Sonic. He destroys the robot before dispersing the Emeralds and reverting to normal. In the aftermath, Robotnik and Coconuts are presumed dead, and Knuckles fixes the Master Emerald from the remaining shards before making a pact to protect it from evil with Sonic and Tails, and they start an idyllic life with the animals. 
In a mid-credits scene, G.U.N. has discovered Project Shadow, a secret project dating back fifty years. 
==Cast==
* Ryan Drummond as Sonic the Hedgehog: An anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who can run at supersonic speeds, but cannot swim. He wants to use his powers to help others but is brash and irresponsible. Upon learning of his arch-nemesis Dr. Robotnik's return and his search for the mythical Master Emerald, Sonic resolves to stop him by teaming up with his new friend Tails, maturing into the hero he aspires to be.
** Archival recordings of Benjamin L. Valic as young Sonic are used during some of Sonic's flashbacks.
* Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Miles "Tails" Prower: An anthropomorphic yellow-orange fox who can fly with his two tails. Tails is a humble genius who invents gadgets for locations and fighting. After finding inspiration in Sonic's bravery against Robotnik, he leaves his home island to warn Sonic that Knuckles is hunting him and quickly becomes his friend.
* Dan Green as Knuckles the Echidna: An anthropomorphic red echidna warrior from Angel Island with super strength. He is serious, aggressive, and quick-tempered, but has a strong sense of honor. He is the sole survivor of the echidna tribe after they were wiped out by the owl tribe and initially works with Robotnik to retrieve the Master Emerald. However, after Robotnik dishonors their deal and betrays him, Knuckles befriends Sonic and Tails, and aids them in defeating Robotnik. Director Chloe Johnson wanted the film's portrayal of Knuckles to be reminiscent of his early appearances, and said "his entire existence is about honor and about being a warrior", describing him as "a force of nature".
* Mike Pollock as Doctor Robotnik / Eggman: A mad scientist and Sonic's arch-nemesis who he often refers to as "Eggman"; he is also nicknamed "Robuttnik" by Flicky. After escaping from the mushroom planet, Robotnik teams up with Knuckles to retaliate against Sonic and find the Master Emerald.
*Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone: Robotnik's lead assistant.
*Ian James Corlett as Coconuts: A monkey Badnik and the head of the S.S.S.S.S.S., as well as its most competent and dangerous member.
*Phil Hayes as Scratch: A rooster Badnik and a member of the Super Special Sonic Search and Smash Squad (S.S.S.S.S.S.) who is slightly smarter than Grounder, but not by much.
* Garry Chalk as Grounder: A mole Badnik who is the least competent and most harmless of the S.S.S.S.S.S.
*Jaleel White as Flicky: A bluebird and the wisest of Sonic's animal friends.
*Tom Butler as Commander Walters, the owner and leader of the military organization Guardian Units of Nations (G.U.N.).
*Jess Harnell as Becky: A bear.
*Billy West as Locky: A bald eagle.
*Kate Higgins as Micky: A mouse.
*Kate Micucci as Picky: A pig.
*Ben Schwartz as Pecky: A penguin.
*Jenny Yokobori as Pocky: A rabbit.
*Kevin Michael Richardson as Ricky: A squirrel.
*Christine Marie Cabanos as Rocky: A seal.
*Bill Farmer as Tocky: A turtle.
*Jeff Bennett as Wocky: A monkey.
* Donna J. Fulks as Longclaw: An anthropomorphic brown owl, Sonic's late mentor/caregiver and the former guardian of the Master Emerald who is seen in flashbacks and in a holographic message hidden in Sonic's map.
Shadow the Hedgehog makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the mid-credits scene.
== Production ==
=== Development ===
=== Casting ===
=== Animation ===
== Music ==
On December 8, 2021, Richard Jacques and Jun Senoue, who also composed the first film, were announced to be returning to compose the film's score. Like the previous film, themes from the games (including Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic Adventure, Sonic Heroes, and Sonic Mania) are interspersed throughout the score, with Crush 40 doing several original songs as well. The film was supported by a single titled "Stars in the Sky" by Kid Cudi. The soundtrack album was released by Johnson Records on April 8, 2022.
On April 7, 2022, it was announced that "Up on the Green Hill from Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Zone - Masado and Miwasco Version -" by Dreams Come True would be used as the main theme song. The song is the English version of the band's 2021 single "Tsugi no Se~no! De - On the Green Hill -," which is a vocal version of the theme music of Green Hill Zone from the original game. The Japanese version of the song is also used as the dub's ending theme. Band member Masato Nakamura, who composed the music for the series' first two games, also voices a character in the Japanese dub.
Calling it as a highly enjoyable orchestral ride from start to finish, Zanobard reviews assigned 7/10 and wrote "Though the orchestral style featured throughout Sonic vs. Knuckles is still very entertaining, with the way it utilises both established and brand new themes as well as both elevating the tension and enjoyability throughout its many edge-of-your-seat action setpieces being pretty sublime. In essence then; while not perfect, it’s another solid score from Holkenborg."
=== Track listing ===
== Release ==
== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
=== Box office ===
=== Accolades ===
== Home media ==
Category:Johnsonverse