- This article is about the Paramount+ show. For other uses, see Knuckles (disambiguation).
Knuckles[1] is an American live-action television miniseries and a spin-off of the Sonic the Hedgehog film series produced by Paramount Pictures.[2][3] It was produced by Paramount Pictures via its television division and licensed by Sega. The full series was released on Paramount+ on 26 April 2024,[4] being the second Sonic television series to be released on a streaming service after Sonic Prime.
Set in between the events of the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 films, the show follows Knuckles the Echidna on his mission to train Wade Whipple in the ways of an echidna warrior so he can compete in the Tournament of Champions bowling event in Reno, Nevada.[5][3][6] The series consists of six episodes.
Synopsis[edit | edit source]
Knuckles agrees to train Wade as his protégé and teach him the ways of the echidna warrior.[7]
Cast[edit | edit source]
Voice[edit | edit source]
English[edit | edit source]
- Idris Elba as Knuckles the Echidna[5]
- Christopher Lloyd as Pachacamac[8][9]
- Ben Schwartz as Sonic the Hedgehog
- Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Miles "Tails" Prower
- Andy Heath as Knuckles' father[10]
- Jorma Taccone as Radio Host Reader[11]
- Michael Bolton as Wade Whipple's singing voice.
Japanese[edit | edit source]
- Subaru Kimura as Knuckles the Echidna[12]
- Taishi Nakagawa as Sonic the Hedgehog[12]
- Ryo Hirohashi as Miles "Tails" Prower[12]
- Oolong Yoshida as Wade Whipple[12]
- Marina Inoue as Maddie Wachowski[12]
- Yōhei Tadano as Pachacamac
- Eisuke Tsuda as Jack Sinclair
- Atsuko Sakuraoka as Wendy Whipple
- Toa Yukinari as Wanda Whipple
- Hōchū Ōtsuka as Pete Whipple
- Tomoaki Maeno as Agent Mason
- Yuki Kazu as Agent Willoughby
- Naomi Kusumi as The Buyer
Live-action[edit | edit source]
- Adam Pally as Wade Whipple[7]
- Kit Rakusen as young Wade[13]
- Ellie Taylor as Agent Willoughby[7][14][9]
- Kid Cudi as Agent Mason[7][9]
- Rory McCann as The Buyer[7][9]
- Stockard Channing as Wendy Whipple[8][9]
- Edi Patterson as Wanda Whipple[7][9]
- Darcy Castle as young Wanda[13]
- Cary Elwes as "Pistol" Pete Whipple[8][15]
- Julian Barratt as Jack Sinclair[7][9]
- Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski[7]
- Alice Tregonning as Susie Barnes[9]
- Paul Scheer as Gary N. Sinclair III Esq.[8][16]
- Rob Huebel as Dylan Beagleton[8]
- Graeme Thomas King as Agent Fairley[17]
- Anaya Thorley as Sally [18]
- Daniel Singh as Cattleprod Bounty Hunter[9]
- Fergus Craig as Bill Barnes
- Owen Warren as Pete's bowling partner[9]
- Brian Yansen as a mailman[17]
- Katie Lusby as a dancer[19]
- Melissa Hartzel as a casino woman[20]
- Tony Coughlan as a welder worker[21]
- Robin March as Random Bowler[17]
- Ben Prout as Store Clerk[11]
- JJ Battell as Chain Bounty Hunter[13]
- Jaimi Barbakoff as Mrs. Barnes[10]
- Adam Kerr as Greasy Faced Kid[10]
- Ben Pugh-Cook as Autograph Seeker #1[22]
- Anna Carina as Autograph Seeker #2[22]
- Maxveal McLaren[22]
- Lesley Molony as Roulette Dealer[22]
- Douglas Utting as Red Mascot[22]
- Charlotte Workman as Casino Waitress[22]
- Jasmine Chiu as Cocktail Waitress[23]
- Paul Low-Hang as Blue Mascot[23]
Development[edit | edit source]
One of the goals of Knuckles was to flesh out the titular character, as part of Paramount's strategy for its Sonic films. The idea is to use TV series such as Knuckles to flesh out certain characters in the film universe, while the films themselves have a larger cast of characters and focus on larger events.[24]
2022[edit | edit source]
Knuckles was first announced to be in development after the Sonic the Hedgehog movie was released, and then it was confirmed on 15 February 2022 at the Paramount Global Investors Connect day. On the same day, the title for the series was revealed and it was confirmed that Idris Elba would reprise his role as Knuckles from Sonic the Hedgehog 2.[5][2] The show was initially announced under the name of Sonic the Series.[25]
2023[edit | edit source]
On 17 April 2023, Jeff Fowler confirmed the show's name, in addition to his involvement as the show's director, in a teaser image for the show he released.[1] The cast and staff of the show would be announced later the same day, along with a short synopsis of the show's plot, and confirmation of the show entering production in London.[7]
On 7 June 2023, Kid Cudi announced that the series had finished filming and claimed that it would debut in fall 2023.[26]
On 5 July 2023, Cary Elwes confirmed his character's name will be Pistol Pete Whipple, describing him as a "27-time championship bowler". It was currently unknown of this character's relationship to Wade Whipple.[15]
The official Paramount+ website would later update its articles regarding the show, stating the show would be released in winter 2023 as opposed to fall 2023 as initially stated.[27]
On 16 November 2023, it was announced that the series had been delayed again, slated for an "early 2024" release date.[4]
2024[edit | edit source]
On 8 February 2024, the official teaser trailer was released. It featured Sonic and Tails who, up until this point, were unconfirmed to be present in the series.
On 16 April 2024, a global premiere of the show's first four episodes was held in London.[28] A second premiere was later held at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on 20 April 2024.[29]
Music[edit | edit source]
On 11 February 2024, it was confirmed that Tom Holkenborg wouldn't compose the show's music, but rather Tom Howe.[30]
Two original songs were made for the show. The first being "Frickin' Human Race", also known as the "Knuckles Theme Song", and was used at the end credits of "Don't Ever Say I Wasn't There for You". The second being "Flames of Disaster", and was used during the rock opera musical of said episode.
The soundtrack, Knuckles (Music from the Paramount+ Original Series), was released alongside the show on 26 April 2024 on digital format. The soundtrack itself also includes both original songs.[31]
The song, "Knuck If You Buck" by Crime Mob, was heavily used in promotions. In the show itself, "The Warrior" by Scandal was featured as the show's opening theme, as well as a few times on the show. Other featured songs in the show included:
- "Our House" by Madness
- "Green Onions" by Booker T. and the M.G.'s
- "Belly Dancer" by Imanbek and BYOR
- "Keep Movin' On" by MYLK
- "Can I Kick It?" by A Tribe Called Quest
- "Non, je ne regrette rien" by Edith Piaf
- "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler
- "I Don't Want to Wait" by Paula Cole
- "Rock You Like A Hurricane" by Scorpions
- "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" by Hank Williams
- "All The Small Things" by Blink-182
- "Hava Nagila" by Barry and Batya Segal
- "Good Morning" by Adam Cooper
- "Send Me An Angel" by Real Life
- "Damn It Feels Good To Be a Gangsta" by Geto Boys
- "Let Me Entertain You" by Robbie Williams
- "Scarface (Push It To The Limit)" by Paul Engemann
- "The Story of My Old Man" by Good Charlotte
- "Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)" by Elton John
- "Pick Up The Pieces" by Average White Band
- "Whatta Band" by Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue
- "Guardians at Heaven's Gate" by Bloodbound
Episodes[edit | edit source]
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | Prod. code
Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list |
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Reception[edit | edit source]
Among fans and some who were expecting a different story entirely, Knuckles has received mixed to negative reviews due to Knuckles not getting much screentime in the second half of the series and receiving less screentime than Wade. It was also criticized by audiences for its goofy and silly tone, annoying characters, scripts, and human scenes that are considered pointless.
In its premiere weekend, Knuckles became the most-watched Paramount+ original series of all time with more than four million hours streamed over that time frame. It also became Paramount+'s most watched kids and family title ever. According to Paramount, the launch of the series also had a positive impact on other Sonic the Hedgehog television series, as viewership soared 278% globally over the previous daily average. Jeff Grossman, executive vice president at Paramount+, also said, "the Sonic the Hedgehog fans came out in full-force, We're so thrilled with the record-breaking performance of Knuckles and the incredible lift the whole Sonic universe has experienced following Knuckles' premiere." [32]
On November 19, Knuckles was nominated as best game adaptation at The Game Awards.[33]
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- The hat seen in the show's teaser image which Jack Sinclair wears in the series before Wade takes it for himself and later gives it to Knuckles is a reference to the hat worn by Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie (1996).
- This is the first Sonic television series not to feature Sonic's name in the title.
- This is the first live-action television series based on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, and also the first television series where neither he nor any of his character variations serve as the main protagonist. Sonic himself only appears in the first episode.
- This is the second television series where Sonic doesn't appear in every episode. The first being Sonic X.
- Aside from flashbacks and mentions, this is the first series to not feature Dr. Robotnik.
- Kid Cudi previously sang "Stars in the Sky", which was featured as the end credits theme of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
- This is the first Sonic series to be rated TV-PG-L instead of TV-Y7 or TV-Y7-FV.
- Of all foreign dubs, only the French and Latin Spanish dubs have Sonic being voiced by someone that have previously voiced him instead of his film series voice actors:
- In French, Malik Bentalha is replaced by Alexandre Gillet, who previously voiced Sonic in the games since Sonic Generations, and in general since Sonic X.
- In Latin Spanish, Luisito Comunica is replaced by Jorge Roig Jr., who also previously voiced Sonic in Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog and season one of the Sonic SatAM television series.
- In addition to be the first Latin Spanish voice actor for Sonic in general, Knuckles marks the first time in nearly three decades that Jorge Roig Jr. reprises his role as Sonic.
- Each episode's title sequence ending shows Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Wade as a band. In each, Wade has a different instrument.
- Episode 1: Tambourine
- Episode 2: Cymbals
- Episode 3: Bell
- Episode 4: Accordion
- Episode 5: Maracas
- Episode 6: Gong
- This is the first Sonic television series to be available in UHD.
- A promotional video for Brazil was released on 3 May 2024, adopting the scene where Wade encounters Knuckles while lifting weights. In this video, Wade has been digitally replaced with Brazilian actor Kleber Bambam, while the plotline references a fight between Bambam and former professional boxer Acelino Freitas on 25 February 2024, in which the former was knocked out after 36 seconds.[34][35]
- A majority of Agent Mason and Agent Willoughby's concept artwork was generated by AI.
Videos[edit | edit source]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jeff Fowler on Twitter. Twitter (17 April 2023). Retrieved on 17 April 2023.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kroll, Justin (15 February 2022). 'Sonic The Hedgehog' Universe Continues To Grow As Sega And Paramount Sign Off On Third Film As Well As A 'Knuckles' Spin-Off Series In The Works At Paramount+ With Idris Elba Reprising Role. Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved on 16 February 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lang, Brent (7 June 2022). Paramount Chief Brian Robbins on the Blockbuster Success of 'Top Gun: Maverick' and 'Getting Close to the Starting Line' With 'Star Trek'. Variety. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved on 7 June 2022.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Paramount+ (@paramountplus) on Twitter. Twitter (15 February 2022). Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved on 15 February 2022. "Paramount+: #SonicMovie3 is officially in development from @ParamountPics and @SEGA! Plus, next year a new original #Knuckles series with @IdrisElba is coming to #ParamountPlus. #SonicMovie2 hits theaters April 8!"
- ↑ Sega (29 March 2024). Paramount+ 実写オリジナルドラマシリーズ『ナックルズ』 (Japanese). Sonic Channel. Archived from the original on 29 March 2024.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 'Sonic the Hedgehog' Spinoff Series 'Knuckles' at Paramount+ Adds Five to Cast, Including Christopher Lloyd and Cary Elwes. Variety (14 June 2023). Retrieved on 14 June 2023.
- ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 Knuckles | Photos. Paramount Press Express. Retrieved on 8 February 2024.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "The Flames of Disaster", Knuckles, Co-starring credits. Paramount+.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Don't Ever Say I Wasn't There for You", Knuckles, Co-starring credits. Paramount+.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 @SonicOfficialJP on Twitter (Japanese). Twitter (29 May 2024). Retrieved on 29 May 2024.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "The Shabbat Dinner", Knuckles, Co-starring credits. Paramount+.
- ↑ Ellie Taylor plays villain in Sonic The Hedgehog spin-off Knuckles. British Comedy Guide (18 September 2023). Retrieved on 19 September 2023.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Cary Elwes Says 'Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One' Is The Biggest Action Blockbuster in History. Collider (5 July 2023). Retrieved on 11 July 2023.
- ↑ Knuckles. www.eldoblaje.com (16 April 2024). Retrieved on 16 April 2024.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "The Warrior", Knuckles, Co-starring credits. Paramount+.
- ↑ anaya___rose on Instagram. Instagram (8 December 2023). Retrieved on 3 February 2024. "The Echidnas out the bag!! Earlier on in the year Anaya had the privilege of stepping into the bowling shoes of Sally & had a great time filming her first credited acting gig in none other than Knuckles. She had the best time and worked with some great people! Can't wait for this to be released early next year!"
- ↑ Katie Lusby. The Mandy Network. Retrieved on 23 February 2024.
- ↑ Melissa Hartzel. The Mandy Network. Retrieved on 23 February 2024.
- ↑ Tony Coughlan. The Mandy Network. Retrieved on 23 February 2024.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 "Reno, Baby", Knuckles, Co-starring credits. Paramount+.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 "What Happens in Reno, Stays in Reno", Knuckles, Co-starring credits. Paramount+.
- ↑ Error on call to template:cite web: Parameters archiveurl and archivedate must be both specified or both omitted. Sonic the Hedgehog Producer Wants the Films to Become 'Avengers-Level Events'. IGN (10 April 2024). Retrieved on 30 September 2024.
- ↑ Tails' Channel (@TailsChannel) on Twitter. Twitter (15 February 2022). Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved on 15 February 2022. "Tails' Channel: New: A brand new #Sonic film, #SonicMovie3; and a live-action #SonicTheSeries spin-off for 2023 was announced during #Paramount's press conference. 📢 "All of this content will make @ParamountPlus the home for this incredibly popular franchise." #SonicNews"
- ↑ The Chosen One (@KiDCuDi) on Twitter. Twitter (7 June 2023). Retrieved on 7 June 2023. "Kid Cudi: Officially wrapped on Knuckles!!! This was easily one of the illest experiences Ive ever had on any set ever. U will LOVE what these guys have created for you. I am so proud of what we made. Knuckles comin this fall!!"
- ↑ Cast Added to Sonic the Hedgehog Spinoff Series, Knuckles, On Paramount+. Paramount+ (15 June 2023). Retrieved on 8 October 2023.
- ↑ The Chosen One (@KiDCuDi) on Twitter. Twitter (16 April 2024). Retrieved on 20 April 2024.
- ↑ DiscussingFilm on Twitter. Twitter (20 April 2024). Retrieved on 20 April 2024.
- ↑ Tom Howe Scoring Paramount+'s 'Knuckles' Series. Film Music Reporter (11 February 2024). Retrieved on 28 April 2024.
- ↑ Soundtrack Album for Paramount+’s ‘Knuckles’ to Be Released. Film Music Reporter (25 April 2024). Retrieved on 28 April 2024.
- ↑ Campione, Katie (2 May 2024). 'Knuckles' Races To Streaming Record In Debut Weekend On Paramount+. Deadline.
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/DChV6C8pI3-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- ↑ KLEBER BAMBAM TEM UM NOVO TREINADOR (Portuguese). YouTube. Paramount+ Brasil (3 May 2024). Retrieved on 3 May 2024.
- ↑ Popó massacra Bambam em 36 segundos e vence por nocaute no Fight Music Show 4 (Portuguese). Tribuna de Jundiaí (25 February 2024). Retrieved on 3 May 2024.
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