It's Time To Talk About That Will Smith Reference In Sonic The Hedgehog 2

Contains minor spoilers for "Sonic the Hedgehog 2"

Timing can be a heck of a thing. Current events often cast a whole new light on some aspect of a film or TV show, and there's not much you can do to account for this effect — especially after a project is in the can. Sometimes what should have been a simple one-liner turns into so much more thanks to the harsh light of context.

"Sonic the Hedgehog 2" recently fell into this trap through no fault of its own. One line from the speedy sequel that would have otherwise passed us by without a hitch, has an entirely different impact in the post-Slapgate world we now find ourselves living in. That's right: Will Smith's live assault on Chris Rock during the Oscars is still reverberating, and those reverberations just jostled "Sonic 2" — at least a little.

It all comes down to one reference to an adored Will Smith film that hangs out there a little too long during the film — long enough to make us all think back to the slap heard round the Holly-world.

During one of the sequel's major set pieces that sees Sonic and Tails on the run from Dr. Robotnik and Knuckles, our hero grabs a makeshift snowboard and zips off down a mountainside. As he's chased down by his new red-haired foe (voiced by Idris Elba), Sonic is all mouth. He even stops to brag amid all the carnage: "I make this look good."

The line is a Will Smith quote from "Men in Black," first uttered when his character J dons the iconic suit and joins the top-secret organization. While it might have earned a chuckle had "Sonic 2" arrived sooner, now it's a debatable "yikes" moment. Before the Oscars, it was probably a pretty safe bet that Will Smith wouldn't create any PR nightmares that might impact the reception of a "Men in Black" reference. But this 2022, friends. Expect the unexpected. 

Hear it for yourself in "Sonic the Hedgehog 2," now playing theaters.