Knuckles used its weirdest scene to secretly rewrite a major Sonic the Hedgehog villain’s backstory, making it uncertain if they’ll appear in the movies the same way they do in the games. The cast of Knuckles includes a variety of heroes and villains, with the core focus of the story being on Knuckles and Wade’s journey to a bowling tournament in Reno, Nevada. However, the end of Knuckles still forces them to contend with the Buyer and his rogue G.U.N. agents, as well as Wade’s estranged father “Pistol” Pete, who he competes against in the tournament.

However, episode 4 of the show offers the strangest Sonic the Hedgehog scene ever, wherein Wade has a musical dream that tells Knuckles’ backstory with him in the leading role. The musical is orchestrated by the spirit of Pachacamac, who uses it to bolster Wade’s spirits so he can embody the way of an Echidna warrior. However, details in the play hint the backstory of a major villain is going to be rewritten, possibly keeping them from showing up even after Sonic the Hedgehog 3 gets released.

Knuckles Episode 4 Reveals Who Wiped Out The Echidna Tribe

The Answer Was Left Ambiguous In Sonic The Hedgehog 2

During Wade’s dream sequence, it’s confirmed the Echidna tribe was wiped out by the owls. While this is hinted at during Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s limited backstory for the red Echidna, it’s never explicitly stated that they were killed by the owls. However, the musical number all but confirms this to be the case, even showing Knuckles’ dad dying at the hands of their enemies. The spinoff’s strangest scene all but confirms that the conflict surrounding the Master Emerald’s power resulted in the destruction of the titular character’s people.

The sequence also goes further, showing Knuckles facing off against the Fire Demon, a villain reminiscent of Sonic the Hedgehog 2006’s Iblis. While the antagonist isn’t connected to Knuckles in the games, his appearance here turns him into a more prevalent character within a different context. However, the fact he gets mentioned – coupled with the owls being responsible for the Echidna’s destruction – means another major villain’s backstory was changed from the games. This villain is someone with a deep connection to the Echidnas and the Master Emerald, but who may now be removed from the movie universe entirely.

Knuckles’ New Backstory Means Chaos Is Less Likely To Be A Movie Villain

Chaos’ Backstory Doesn’t Fit With The Movies Anymore

While Knuckles is still the last Echidna in the video game universe, 1998’s Sonic Adventure reveals the rest of them were wiped out by a creature known as Chaos. The original guardian of the Chaos Emeralds, he was attacked by the Echidnas in ancient times, wiping most of them out before being sealed in the Master Emerald. Despite the artifact’s importance in the films, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ended with no mention of Chaos at all. However, the more detailed backstory in Knuckles episode 4 seemingly confirms he had nothing to do with the Echidna’s destruction.

Chaos’ ties to the Emeralds and the Echidnas are integral parts of his backstory, something the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise has now altered. This makes it more difficult for him to appear later in the growing cinematic universe, as he no longer fits within Knuckles’ backstory like he does in the games. Because of how integral the villain’s connection to the Master Emerald is, there doesn’t seem to be any way of giving him the same backstory anymore. This lowers his chances of being in the movies, or carrying the same importance if he does show up.

How Chaos Can Still Appear In The Sonic The Hedgehog Movies

Chaos Could Have His Backstory Altered

However, even though his backstory might need tweaking, Chaos could still show up in a future Sonic movie, or even in a potential Knuckles season 2. As illustrated by Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Knuckles still doesn’t know for sure what happened to his people, meaning the villain could still have been involved somehow. It’s also possible Chaos threatened the Echidnas in the far-off past like in the games, perhaps weakening them enough to lose their battle against the owls. This would keep him tied to his game roots while keeping Knuckles’ backstory from the show.

It’s also possible Chaos’ origins are still tied to the Master Emerald, the storage unit of the Chaos Emeralds acting as a clue to his existence in the films. Since the Master Emerald was created the house the smaller Chaos Emeralds inside, it’s possible Chaos himself was once sealed inside long ago. If that’s the case, then it gives him the ability to show up in the movies with a slightly altered backstory that keeps his connection to the ancient artifacts. Although this is a change from the games, it would be a sensible introduction.

It’s possible Knuckles has confirmed Chaos won’t be showing up in the movie franchise, but it’s just as likely it revealed his backstory will be changed instead. While the chances of the Sonic the Hedgehog villain showing up may have lowered because of this alteration, it’s still possible for him to have a significant role much later down the road. With plenty of possibilities for the future, Chaos could still show up – but won’t be the same version of the villain as he was in the games.