Sonic 2: Tails Actor Reveals Key To Nailing The Voice
In a recent interview, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 voice actor Colleen O'Shaughnessey revealed the key to getting Tails' voice right. O'Shaughnessey plays the voice of the anthropomorphic fox Miles "Tails" Prower in the upcoming sequel to the 2020 smash hit Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic's sidekick first joined the SEGA video game franchise with 1992's Sonic the Hedgehog 2 as the titular character's loyal ally, but has continued to make consistent appearances in nearly every new Sonic media, ranging from television to video games to books.
The upcoming Sonic sequel follows Sonic, the titular super-powered blue hedgehog, as he teams up with his trusty partner Tails to once again take on the evil Doctor Robotnik (Jim Carrey), who has returned to Earth from Mushroom Planet in search of the Master Emerald, a crystal powerful enough to destroy civilizations. The nefarious scientist is joined by Knuckles (Idris Elba), a powerful red echidna who wants nothing more than to defeat Sonic at all costs. With the world threatened, Sonic and Tails must reach the Master Emerald before it falls into the wrong hands.
In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 voice actor Colleen O'Shaughnessey details the key to nailing the voice for her character Tails. When asked about how she approaches the voice, the actor detailed her method. Read what O'Shaughnessey had to say below.
"Okay, I think you've got to think about a little boy. I just go to a deeper place in my register, and I just add some gravel and a little bit of excitement. And here we go. There's Tails! Yep, there he is."
O'Shaughnessey has had a long career in voice-acting for television, films, and video games. Well known for her work as Sora Takenouchi in the popular anime Digimon, O'Shaughnessey soon made a name for herself in the Sonic universe, taking over the role of Tails in the Sonic Boom television series. Her performance on the show translated to gigs as the character in its respective video games, as well as future appearances in Sonic games such as Sonic Forces, Sonic Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and the Mario Kart rival, Team Sonic Racing. Her strong performances in the role landed her the part in a small after-credits scene in Sonic the Hedgehog and a starring role in the sequel.
Although Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has received mixed reviews, citing runtime and story as faults, the inclusion of O'Shaughnessey's Tails and the expansion of the Sonic universe were singled out as some of the film's positive aspects. Although Jeff Fowler has stated that he has yet to be officially attached to a third Sonic film, it is reported that the movie is in development along with a Knuckles spinoff. The possible film would most likely give Tails another major role as Sonic's sidekick and allow O'Shaughnessey another chance to showcase her talents as one of her defining roles. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will arrive in theaters in the United States on April 8.