‘Sonic’ Fans Agree With Idris Elba Casting: ‘We Told You Knuckles Was Black’
The last time Idris Elba appeared as a CGI anthropomorphic creature, it didn’t go well. Hell, the last time Sonic the Hedgehog was on the big screen, it didn’t go well. But the announcement that the actor would be voicing Knuckles in “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” has fans so excited that both “Cats” and 2020’s “Sonic the Hedgehog” have faded from memory – for the most part.
“The Suicide Squad” star broke the news on Tuesday when he tweeted a picture of Knuckles’ spiked fist with the caption, “Knock, knock…” Knuckles, full name Knuckles the Echidna, is Sonic’s friend and rival in the popular video game series. Elba’s casting lit up the Twitterverse almost immediately, leading to some rare unity on the social networking site.
Knock, knock….#SonicMovie2 #Knuckles pic.twitter.com/N1PW5XaCEd
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) August 10, 2021
Introduced in “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” in 1994, Knuckles was originally a rival of Sonic who is tricked by Dr. Eggman into thinking that the blue hedgehog is trying to steal the Master Emerald, a powerful gem that allows Knuckles’ island to float in the clouds. After realizing what Eggman has done, Knuckles teams up with Sonic to defeat the evil doctor, and since has become a mainstay and occasionally a playable character in the Sega video game series.
Elba joins a cast that already includes Ben Schwartz returning as Sonic and Jim Carrey as Dr. Eggman, along with James Marsden and Tika Sumpter. Jeff Fowler is directing from a screenplay by Pat Casey, Josh Miller and John Whittington. The film finished production in June and is set for release next April.
The reactions to the Knuckles news took many meme-able forms. First, there were the scores of vindicated “Sonic” fans that always knew the animated character was Black.
It always felt like Knuckles was the black friend in the group, so makes sense lol https://t.co/TV2rHdhYvU
— The Black Hokage (@TheBlackHokage) August 10, 2021
Knuckles, like Piccolo, has always been Black https://t.co/mvLCrDTc0U
— Charles PM (@CharlesPulliam) August 10, 2021
Black folk have always claimed knuckles, now it's official https://t.co/9sPJB8V8aZ
— Ash Parrish (@adashtra) August 10, 2021
Idris Elba voicing Knuckles just solidifies the fact once again that Knuckles is black
— Chidden Nuddet (@Maraculousness) August 10, 2021
knuckles is Black babey
— céli (@pianta_) August 10, 2021
HOLY SHIT KNUCKLES PLAYED BY BLACK PERSON FINALLY FUCKING FINALLY
— Cherribun (@ghostbunbun) August 10, 2021
WE TOLD YOU KNUCKLES WAS BLACK
— Breana Williams@tired (@breanimator) August 10, 2021
There were of course many commenters that couldn’t resist capitalizing on Elba’s viral “Hot Ones” meme.
Knuckles when he finds out Robotnik lied about Sonic stealing the Master Emerald again pic.twitter.com/jpuOXE4ybq
— Holt (@Holtarna) August 10, 2021
When Sonic & Tails break it down an Knuckles realizes Eggman was playing him all along in Sonic 2 pic.twitter.com/8TEQ6knE04
— My Fault (@uglynewyork_) August 10, 2021
Knuckles after Eggman reveals he was only using him to get the Chaos Emeralds in Sonic 2. pic.twitter.com/tOLiuLSFOb
— beans made thighs (@beanzaru) August 10, 2021
Knuckles in the ending cutscene when he sees a bat with big tits fly by with the master emerald pic.twitter.com/YpMu2zBmfv
— 𓆩︎𓆪 (@CHELSOFARC) August 10, 2021
Knuckles when he found out the Master Emerald was missing: pic.twitter.com/xIMEmoTsGU
— Public Enemies Podcast (@TheEnemiesPE3) August 10, 2021
Check out some other “Idris Elba IS Knuckles” highlights here.
pic.twitter.com/91fpyyHUKb
— Jone Santos (@jluiz1981) August 10, 2021
Thanks for the meme upgrade pic.twitter.com/QpXIUdUJfd
— Mohamed Enieb (@its_menieb) August 10, 2021
How much do I have to pay to get you to sing Pumpkin Hill Zone?
— Jared Knabenbauer (@ProJared) August 10, 2021
Idris Elba turned down Bond to play Knuckles and he was right to do it
— taizou (@taizou_hori) August 10, 2021
Me watching Sonic the Hedgehog 2 knowing Knuckles is pulling up pic.twitter.com/RltYcb2JZZ
— BLURAYANGEL (@blurayangel) August 10, 2021
just replaced my andrew cuomo bedroom posters with idris elba knuckles posters
— Eddy Burback (@eddyburback) August 10, 2021
Idris Elba when he signed on to voice Knuckles pic.twitter.com/cKvsE7GXI1
— BlackOutCos @ bunny boi supremecy (@BlackOutCos) August 10, 2021
wow knuckles looks so cool in the new sonic movie pic.twitter.com/HxqzyAG8Ie
— purrrine (@bbcuhrin) August 10, 2021
WE HAVE OUR KNUCKLES & HE’S PERFECT https://t.co/xSS1PPFf91
— GamesCage – Hype Guy (@OnTheDownLoTho) August 10, 2021
