#i didn't proofread this because it's modnight and I'm tired. there's probably like a bajillion mistakes or something.

[chao-chachaslide]

OH HEY I think Knux might be going through a ring portal in the new trailer. I stared at it for 2 minutes straight. 

IT WOULD MAKE SENSE ACTUALLY. Robotnik got yeeted to Mushroom Hill at the end of the first film. And that just so happens to be a location in Sonic 3&K. And while, yes, it’s passed off as a planet in this canon rather than a smaller ecosystem of Angel Island, it wouldn’t surprise me if this is where Robotnik finds Knux. In the opening of S&K we start off his story with him lounging around in MHZ so it could be a clever callback. But, why isn’t Knuckles on Angel Island? 

Now take a look at gif #4. We see a massive green flash and the sea separating. We’re in a tropical beach location (Angel Island Zone, anyone?) here so perhaps this is why part of the film was filmed in Hawaii. We see the sunken M.E. Shrine with the green light beam in other trailers, so they are defo 'awakening' the shrine here. This trailer has some great medium and long shots of Sonic and Knuckles fighting inside the shrine, as well as a shot of Sonic running through Labyrinth Zone. Given the M.E shrine being sunken underwater in this, Labyrinth Zone is a perfect pick to replace Hidden Palace Zone.

Now I just want to address a major plot point from S3&K. Specifically how Angel Island has plunged into the ocean. And yeah, we don’t have a death egg to force the island out of the sky, but let’s think about how multiple times in the franchise it has been mentioned/shown that without the master emerald, angel island will fall. So what if the emerald was dormant? We see them activating it and the sea opening up to reveal the shrine. Could this well be a sunken Angel Island (or SCU equivalent)?

I think this film is going to be heavily influenced by the plot of the classic games, which I am so hyped about I love those games to death. Now this is where I can link to both of the theories regarding who will be appearing in the third movie. And also the Knuckles tv show because none of you have actually considered the idea of new characters being in that.

So firstly, Metal. Metal first appeared in Sonic CD, released in between Sonic 2 and Sonic 3&K. However the games don't take place in release order, since S3&K begins exactly where S2 left off. So when does CD take place. This has been a topic of debate for a long time, but it was confirmed recently that CD is after 3&K. So it is totally plausible for Metal and/or Amy to star in the next film. Especially if they are trying to follow the game continuity to appeal to the target audience.

However, what if we went with the theory that Shadow will be in the next film? Well, it is highly likely that he will appear at some point due to the confirmation of GUN existing in the SCU. GUN simply existing in this movie is a great opportunity to drop a reference to Shadow, or even straight up chuck him in a post credits scene. But there's one thing: Shadow first appeared in Sonic Adventure 2. Not one. 2.

So are they just going to skip SA1? This game was very significant in Sonic lore being the first major game since the original three (4 if you count CD). It soft rebooted the whole franchise. Perhaps most notably, it introduces the current and most well-known characterisation of Amy Rose, who are previously stated, is predicted by fans to appear in the 3rd film. It's noteworthy that although he doesn't really do anything, Metal does cameo in this game.

But then again, SA1 isn't about Amy. In fact, her role in the game is quite minimal, and doesn't touch on the main plot. So it wouldn't really be fair to do an adaptation of that game centered on her. So, let's think about that first statement again. SA1 is not a game about Amy. So, other than Sonic, who does the game throw into the spotlight? Who gets an incredibly fleshed out backstory in this game? Who's origins are crucial to the plot of the game? Oh yeah, the character who's getting a TV show. Knuckles the motherfucking Echidna.

The Knuckles TV show is a perfect opportunity to adapt Sonic Adventure. See, if this TV show is going to delve into his backstory like people think it will, what better way to do it than to adapt the epic game where we finally get a glimpse into his origins. Knuckles is definitely going to become the guardian of the M.E in Sonic movie 2 if he isn't already holding that title at the start. SA1 contains crucial lorebuilding for the Master Emerald and how it connects to Knux. And as I mentioned before, Amy is in SA1, so why not introduce her in this series? Sonic and Tails are probably going to appear anyway. And boom, then you'll have the Core 4.

And if you do that, it now allows you to do a cinematic adaptation of Sonic Adventure 2.

I'm a fucking genius (I'm not I'm BSing rn I just love old video games)

Also in terms of structure, Sonic Adventure works much better if you were to adapt it as a TV show, due to how the story is almost episodic already. Obviously it's a Knuckles TV show it's gonna be about Knuckles, so I'm not saying like one episode per character story. I'm saying like one episode per section of story. Finally, Sonic Adventure 2 just has that 2hour action movie vibe to its story anyway. It just has such a cinematic feel to it.

If you read all of it and actually understood what I was saying the whole way through, good for you.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 / Sonic vs Knuckles - Big Game Spot