One person who agrees with the notion that the scope of the sequel is much bigger is returning director Jeff Fowler, who commented to Collider, "I think you probably get a sense of that from the trailer. Obviously bringing in Tails, bringing in Knuckles, sending them all on this great big action adventure. It is much bigger in scope, but also in humor and, of course, what good is any of that if there's no heart or emotion?
"I think," he adds, "that was such an important part of the first film. I think it really helped audiences connect with Sonic as a character, and so we've just worked really hard not to get too carried away with set pieces and action and adventure, although it is absolutely bonkers how much great stuff there is, but also continuie to tell Sonic's story, develop him as a character and give all the characters, all the new characters, their own arcs in order for everyone to feel like fully realized, fully dimensional characters."
In Sonic the Hedgehog 2, after settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search of an emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.
The cast features Ben Schwartz back as the voice of the CG Sonic, Coleen O'Shaughnessey voicing Miles "Tails" Prower, Idris Elba (how cool is that?) voicing Knuckles the Echidna, James Marsden as Sonic's human ally, Tom Wachowski; and Jim Carrey as arch enemy Doctor Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will be released April 8.