The first trailer for the upcoming video game sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has now raced onto the internet and into all our hearts, giving us a pretty detailed look at not only the titular critter and his sidekick Tails, but also the beloved red echidna Knuckles. Much like his video game counterpart, it looks like Knuckles will begin as the villain, with the vocal talents of Idris Elba even being revealed, with the Luther star giving the character an intimidation factor like never before.

Knuckles was first introduced in the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 video game way, way back in the before time of 1994, beginning his story as a non-playable antagonist. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has not only stuck close to the source material when bringing the fan-favorite character to life, but the movie will also seemingly sticks close to his origin, with Knuckles likely to unite with Sonic and Tails come the finale.

Much like Sonic and Tails, Knuckles has his own particular set of skills, including the ability to glide and climb up walls, as well as being a powerful fighter who makes use of his spiked hands. Something which has also been transferred from the games to the big screen. Knuckles typically serves as the guardian of the Master Emerald, a huge gemstone that controls the series' integral Chaos Emeralds, and is the last living member of his race, all elements which look have been included in his silver screen debut.

Avengers: Infinity War star Idris Elba will provide the voice of Knuckles, and while the actor has not been able to reveal too much regarding his involvement in the video game adaptation, he has assured fans that the character will differ somewhat from his usual, sexy fare. "Honestly, I cannot say. Contractually, I cannot say anything,” Elba began. “But I wouldn't say he was sexy. I don't think I'm going for that. That's for sure."

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 picks up with the SEGA icon after settling in Green Hills at the end of the first Sonic the Hedgehog, where he now uses his power of super speed to fight crime. Sonic has grown a little bored of his surroundings, however, and is ready for more freedom, with his friends Tom and Maddie agreeing to leave him home alone while they go on vacation. No sooner are they gone, than Dr. Robotnik comes back, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search of an emerald that has the power to both build and destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.

The first Sonic the Hedgehog ended up being far better than anyone really expected, with the sequel bringing back the likes of director Jeff Fowler to helm the sequel, as well as stars Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog, Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik, and James Marsden as Tom Wachowski and Tika Sumpter as his wife, Maddie. Meanwhile, Tails, who entered the fray in a post-credits scene at the end of the first outing, will again be voiced by Colleen O'Shaughnessey.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is scheduled for release in the United States on April 8, 2022, by Paramount Pictures. You can watch the new trailer for yourself courtesy of Paramount Pictures.