Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has officially wrapped filming, and Metal Sonic appears to be the film's villain. While details are still sketchy, the film will mark the real debuts of Amy Rose (Kristen Bell) and Metal Sonic, although we still don't know if anyone will voice the latter. Technically speaking, Sonic 4 hasn't confirmed his antagonist yet, so Jeff Fowler and company may have a surprise in store for fans.
While I don't hate Metal Sonic by any means, and he's certainly iconic, he's not exactly the most complex or interesting Sonic villain. So far, the movies have stuck with the most recognizable characters, but it might be time to start digging a little deeper into the hedgehog's intricate lore. Considering the entire franchise, there are plenty Sonic villains much better than Metal Sonic.
1
Mephiles the Dark
Sonic needs a new psychological threat
- Debut: Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)
- Best Look: Sonic X Shadow Generations
Any character that was unlucky enough to debut in Sonic '06 faced an uphill battle for relevance, as the stench of the game rubbed off on all its players. Silver might be more popular if he didn't start life as “that bland hedgehog from the most broken Sonic game,” and he's not the best new character introduced by this title. It would be Mephiles the Darkwhich is a top contender for best Sonic the Hedgehog villainespecially if we remove big names like Eggman or Shadow.
Now, to be fair, Mephiles is more of a Shadow the Hedgehog villain than a Sonic one, but that's something that could easily be tweaked by the movies. Anyway, Shadow seems to be staying.
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The franchise's standard formula for new baddies is to mirror Sonic's abilities to some degree, just to level the playing field. But Mephiles does not fall within this group, as he is a manifestation of a god and a master manipulator. So far have Sonic films have focused on physical threats, something that will likely be repeated with Metal Sonic. In comparison, Mephiles would represent a shift towards psychological mind games, especially since his greatest power is his ability to trick heroes into doing his bidding. Also, he can only take over Shadow's shadow Sonic 4 want a more direct villain.
2
Doctor Starline
The Sonic movies need a new evil mad scientist
- Debut: Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW Comics)
- No video game appearances
In the films, Dr. Robotnik has a well-established sidekick in Agent Stone, who acts as both the villain's confidant and punching bag. Despite not always being treated well, Stone clearly admires Robotnik, and it's hard to imagine him ever turning on his boss.
The thing is, Dr. Ivo Robotnik has been here before. In IDW Sonic the Hedgehog comics, one of the more memorable villains is Doctor Starlinean Eggman fanboy who gradually strikes out on his own after he can no longer stand his hero's incompetence or obsession with Sonic. Despite his initial admiration for Eggman, Starline's personality is basically the exact opposite, as he is meticulous, professional, and efficient. Agent Stone matches Robotnik's energy in the movies, but a straight-faced figure inspired by Starline would undoubtedly complement Carrey's performance even better.
Starline is another mad science archetype, which the movies don't really need when half their screen time is devoted to Robotnik. However, Sonic 3The ending made it nearly impossible for Ivo to return as a true villain, unless the movies decide to restore most of his character growth. A new evil mad scientist like Starline would be perfect, especially since his “motive” could be that he hates this reformed version of Robotnik.
3
Fang the Hunter
A bounty hunter who can outsmart rather than outsmart Sonic
- Game debut: Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble
- Best Look: Sonic Superstars
Look, not every villain has to be a super-powered being that can destroy the world and outrun Sonic; in some cases, they just need a little spunk and a willingness to do what needs to be done. Although he is much, much weaker than Metal Sonic, Fang the Hunter makes up for his lack of super speed or absurd powers with his wit and gadgets. As a mercenary and bounty hunter, he's driven by money, and he's certainly not shy about pursuing his goals.
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While he probably shouldn't be the main villain in a movie, Fang would be absolutely perfect as a secondary antagonist who occasionally shows up to upset the heroes, and he comes with a battle of wits rather than speed or power. He'd be a pretty good foil for Tails, who would benefit from a storyline that lets him shine away from Sonic's shadow. You know what, the one Sonic movies might even bring Bean the Dynamite and Bark the Polar Bear along for the ride.
Who is that character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
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Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
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AKA, that time Sonic was in a mecha anime
- Debut: Sonic X
- No video game appearances
Sonic X is a wild ride. While the first two seasons mostly adapt events from the games (for the franchise), the anime just goes full on Star Wars in its final season, and it's brilliant. That season's main villains are Metarexbio robots trying to control the universe. Their leader is Dark oakand he is incredible.
I know there is no chance Sonic 4 will directly draw from Sonic Xlet alone its most ambitious plot, but I just want to dream for a few hundred words.
Metal Sonic is mostly a blank slate in the video games, as he is just a machine built to destroy. If Sonic 4 sticking to the source material, Metal Sonic will provide the plot and not much else. In comparison, Dark Oak would provide pathos, depth and a sense of theatrical scale that could help the sequel feel even bigger than its predecessor. Although he is technically a cold, emotionless robot when introduced in the anime, Dark Oak and Metarex have an incredibly heartbreaking backstory. When their planet was under attack, the Metarex cybernetically mutated themselves to fight back, a decision that stripped them of their, for lack of a better word, humanity.
If Sonic If movies want to avoid making Robotnik evil again, they'll need a big enough threat to require the scientist to work with Sonic. Metarex would be perfect.
5
Whip the hedgehog
Forget Metal Sonic, Scourge Is The Ultimate “Evil Sonic”
- Debut: Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW Comics)
- No video game appearances
IN Sonic CDMetal Sonic is the perfect “evil” clone of the Blue Blur. He has his powers without any of those pesky morals, and he was a great villain for a 2D platformer that wanted to get the message across in as few words as possible. However, he hasn't developed too much since then, and he's arguably one of the least interesting recurring characters in Sonic game.
So, how about Scourge instead?
Literally introduced as an evil version of Sonic from an alternate reality, Scourge was initially present as little more than a joke, but he steadily grew resentful of his reputation as a second-rate clone. By the end of his comic run, he becomes a true powerhouse with a stunning design that can match any other in the series. While it might not seem obvious at first, he's one of the deeper characters in the franchise, and he's a rare Sonic villain driven by insecurity rather than a quest for power.
Honestly, Sourge's entire arc could be given to Metal Sonic.
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