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Deadline reported on Friday that the live-action Knuckles spinoff series in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise surpassed 4 million viewing hours in its opening weekend. The series is currently the most-watched Paramount+ original series of all time. The show is also the most-watched kids and family series on the platform.
The news outlet also reported that viewership of the Sonic the Hedgehog series increased 278% globally compared to the previous daily average when Knuckles released.
The series premieres April 26 in the US and Canada on Paramount+ and has six episodes. The film begins streaming April 27 in other territories on Paramount+. The film will premiere in Japan later this year.
The film was originally scheduled for 2023.
The film focuses on the character Knuckles, with Idris Elba taking on the role. Edi Patterson, Julian Barratt, Scott Mescudi and Ellie Taylor are part of the cast. Rory McCann guest stars. Adam Pally reprises his role as Wade Whipple in the film, and Tika Sumpter also returns as Maddie in a guest role. Other actors include Cary Elwes, Stockard Channing, Christopher Lloyd, Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel.
The film takes place between the second and third live-action films. In the series, Knuckles trains Wade to be his protégé and teaches him the ways of the Echidna warrior.
The film's staff returned to the series. The series' director Jeff Fowler returned to direct the first episode. Ged Wright, Brandon Trost, Jorma Taccone and Carol Banker also direct. Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, John Whittington, Toru Nakahara and Elba are credited as executive producers. Whittington also served as head writer along with writers Brian Schacter and James Madejski.
The upcoming live-action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie is scheduled for release on December 20.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 opened in the United States in April 2022 and grossed an estimated $26.5 million on its opening day, according to Box Office Mojo.
Source: Deadline (Katie Campione)