Does Sonic The Hedgehog Have An End Credits Scene?

Sonic the Hedgehog has finally come sprinting into theaters, and fans and critics are pleased. The flick is being praised as a fun and fast ride, with plenty of action and the kind of over-the-top, wildly unhinged Jim Carrey performance that we haven't seen since the '90s.

Obviously, studio Paramount would like for Sonic to kick off a profitable franchise, and it looks like the flick might perform well enough for it to get its wish. These days, though — thanks to Mighty Marvel, Nick Fury, and the Avenger initiative — if you're going to tease something, you're probably going to want to do it by way of a mid-credits scene, a post-credits scene, or both.

Sonic is no different. We won't beat around the bush here: the movie contains not one, but two mid-credits sequences, although there are no extra surprises after the credits have rolled. Be advised that we'll be getting into major spoiler territory for Sonic the Hedgehog and its potential sequel here, so if that isn't your bag, you may want to stop reading now.

Still with us? Great. Sonic's first mid-credits scene has to do with the fate of Carrey's Dr. Robotnik, and in it, he has a slightly different look which fans of the video game franchise will appreciate. In the second scene, one of Sonic's buddies makes an appearance — one which will have those same video game die-hards leaping out of their seats.

Sonic the Hedgehog finds the little dude, who comes to Earth from an alternate dimension, on the run from both the military and Robotnik and his minions. During the course of the festivities, he mentions a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency escape route in case things get totally out of hand: the "Mushroom Planet," which seems to be a nod to Sonic the Hedgehog 3's opening stage, the Mushroom Hill Zone. Sonic doesn't elaborate, but no elaboration is really necessary. It's a planet filled with mushrooms, as we see in the first mid-credits scene (via The Cinemaholic).

In it, we see that this is where Sonic has sent Robotnik; after shaving his head, the mad scientist muses that he'd like to get home by Christmas, and we see that he's in possession of one of Sonic's blue quills. Even better, the now-bald Robotnik also has an epic, frazzled mustache (he's clearly been on the Mushroom Planet for a while) that brings him a lot closer to his iconic video game look. It's a cool shout-out and a funny aside, but the second mid-credits sequence is where the good stuff is.

The scene shows us a grand vista overlooking a forest on Earth, where — unseen by anyone — a ring portal opens. Who should come leaping out of it but a two-tailed fox that Sonic fans know very well. Checking a tracking device, the little guy says, "If these readings are accurate, he's here — I found him! I just hope I'm not too late." The fox then spreads his... er, tails and goes helicopter-ing off in a very familiar fashion.

That cute little fella is, of course, none other than Miles "Tails" Prower, Sonic's trusty sidekick and best buddy (maybe second-best, now that Tom Wachowski is in the picture). Interestingly, Tails wasn't always supposed to be a fox — he was originally designed as a tanuki, or a Japanese racoon dog, but apparently the look didn't quite work. Besides, Mario and his Tanooki Suit already beat Sega to the punch. In traditional Sonic lore, shy and sweet Tails was bullied because of the twin tails that gave him his nickname, but was inspired to stand up for himself after seeing Sonic run. Tails started following Sonic around, and the duo eventually became partners, and then friends.

If Sonic the Hedgehog gets a follow-up film, it looks like Tails will play a major role in it based on these end credits scenes. That's quite appropriate, as Tails made his official debut in Sonic's first sequel game, Sonic the Hedgehog 2. If the next movie gives him a starring part, it's simply following Sonic tradition. 

In fact, Sonic the Hedgehog's end credits sequences have set the stage for a remarkably fan-friendly sequel. Not only is Robotnik sporting his traditional look and is characteristically undeterred in his quest to take down Sonic (Carrey has already expressed his willingness to return to the role), but Tails is also now in play — ready to lend a hand (or a tail, or two) to his speedy blue buddy. There's even room for Sonic's other ally, Knuckles, to make an appearance. (You caught the Knuckles Clan's cameo at the beginning of the movie, right?) 

Here's hoping Sonic hits its stride at the box office; the flick is in theaters now.