Can we talk Sonic 2 Easter Eggs? Sit down with me for an exclusive James Marsden & Tika Sumpter interview press conference for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie, in theaters on April 8th! #SonicMovie2 May contain commissioned links.
Easter Eggs in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | James Marsden & Tika Sumpter Interview
Heads or Tails? Or Knuckles, perhaps? As far as movie press conferences go, sitting down to interview James Marsden is certainly not a bad day’s work.
Not at all.
But when the Sonic 2 actor started busting out singing “True Love’s Kiss” from Enchanted, I about lost it. *Sighs* in my best Amy Adams princess sigh.
But from singing to big laughs, Tika Sumpter (Maddie Wachowski) and James Marsden (Tom Wachowski) couldn’t stop raving about the all-new, most anticipated video game movie sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, in theaters on April 8, 2022. But where does the second Sonic movie take us? Will audiences fall in love with Knuckles and Tails? What about those Sonic 2 Easter Eggs? And what can we expect from our favorite interracial married couple, the Wachowskis?
According to Tika, “We might be getting a divorce…” GASP. Warning, possible Sonic 2 spoilers ahead.
[Read my full Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Movie Review | Safe for Kids? for spoiler free parent thoughts, plus PG breakdown for violence, adult content and language.]
What to expect from Sonic 2
Big, new and turbo charged. According to James Marsden and Tika Sumpter, the audience is going be blown away by Sonic the Hedgehog 2. “It’s a movie for everyone. It’s a thrilling ride.”
So what makes Sonic 2 so special? James Marsden didn’t hesitate to take a few words from his co-star, Ben Schwartz. “Ben said heart, human and action. You get those 3 elements right there, and that’s a good starting place. The production leads with it’s heart, much like the movie does. You can have all of those beautiful set pieces and action sequences. But if that heart is not at the center of it, there’s no emotional stakes.”
“For me, one of the reasons why I think the movies work so well is that component of the importance of the bonds of family, connection, friendship, acceptance, belonging, and to ask for help.”
Meanwhile, Tika is over here gushing about one of the most anticipated new characters, Tails. “Tails is so earnest and so thoughtful. Tails just wants to be accepted and loved. And Tails grew up with two tails, he was seen as odd. I think everyone can get with where do I belong? Who is my group? Who is my clan? I love his gadgets.”
The Wachowski Love and Marriage
While folks are concentrated on new characters Tails and Knuckles, I’m over here gushing over one of my favorite interracial couples on screen, Maddie and Tom Wachowski. How do their supporting roles in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 help build the characters and the story? And yes, Maddie’s sister is BACK!
Tika was quick to jump in to tell us how Maddie rolls in this Sonic sequel. “Tom is ‘holding on tight,’ especially when Sonic wants some independence. Maddie is trying to really calm her partner down. ‘Let him go. He needs to be who he is. He’ll come back when he needs us. And we have him when he does.’ It’s that constant balance of the crazy one and the logical one. And I’m the logical one.”
James laughs “And I’m the crazy one. We compliment each other well as a couple and as a parenting team.”
But moving from Sonic’s friend to his parent, well it’s not easy on Tom. “The first film is like a buddy comedy. And then [Sonic 2] becomes this ‘oh I’m actually have to give him advice on how to grow up or not to grow up.’ You see Tom kind of figuring it out along the way.”
Any Sonic 2 Behind-the-Scenes Pranks?
Tika Sumpter was not about to divulge the gossip when it came to Sonic on-set pranks. She admitted that the crew “actually hung out outside of work,” and constantly referred to her Sonic gang as “family.”
But she had no problem exposing her co-star James Marsden. “He was singing. Didn’t stop.”
Blushing, James Marsden admitted that he was singing on-set all of the time, mostly to get attention. And as he busted out with his Enchanted “True Love’s Kiss” version, I could see how this guy would be quite the handful during filming.
But for Tika, “All of that chemistry, all of that fun that you see on screen is because that was real life.”
All of the Different ‘Green’ Sides of Sonic?
As a live action film, both Tika and James laughed of how the new actors had to go through the growing pains that they had in the first Sonic movie, aka getting used to working alongside a difficult and sometimes “green” co-star. Sonic the Hedgehog is more than just an animated character. James Marsden reveals all of the sides of Sonic that the audience doesn’t get to see.
“When {Sonic} is standing still, it’s a piece of tape. When he’s walking, it’s a tennis ball on the end of a rod, so that your eyeline can follow him. If you’re holding him, it’s a blue bean bag, so that you can sell the weight. And sometimes, it’s a crude stuffed animal that you’re looking at.”
“It’s not so easy to work with green tape,” Marsden laughed. “But it does require your imagination.”
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Easter Eggs
Ok, but seriously. Can we talk about those Sonic 2 Easter Eggs?
“One of the most important things for us was getting the movie right for all of the people who love Sonic the video game. We know that it’s a world where so many other things happen other than just Sonic, Tails and Knuckles. It’s fun for us to bring these little tidbits of the game and hide them in the movie.”
But when it came to specifics, the actors were pretty tight lipped. “Plenty of Easter Eggs and plenty of stuff from the game,” according to James Marsden.
And Tika chimed in that you will need to watch the film “at least 3 times” to find them all.
While I’m not here to spoil anything, I will say that the video game and pop culture Easter eggs (from one liners to visuals) definitely will appeal to both young and old alike.
About Sonic 3…
Say what? Paramount Pictures have already announced that there will be a Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie. So what do Tika and James think about Maddie and Tom in the upcoming 3rd film to the Sonic franchise?
Tika quickly jumped in. “We might be getting a divorce…no, I’m kidding, LAUGH. I think we’re all excited to see what’s next and see how people embrace #2.”
For James, “I’m excited about new characters they may introduce, more game things they might pull and put into the next one. But right now, we’re in the moment excited about bringing the second one to everybody. Hopefully the world responds in a positive way.”
The long awaited sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 2 races into theaters starting on Friday, April 8, 2022. Be sure to read the full Sonic 2 movie review for parents for more no-spoilers information and full PG age rating breakdown.
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Catch Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie, racing into theaters on Friday April 8, 2022! Will your family be watching this Sonic 2 sequel on the big screen?
I was invited to an exclusive Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie press conference in exchange for this Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Interview. All photos courtesy of Paramount Pictures. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
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