The highly anticipated first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has been released, revealing an exciting new addition to the franchise: Keanu Reeves as the voice of Shadow, a formidable new antagonist to Sonic, voiced by Ben Schwartz. Shadow, a fan-favorite character introduced in the 2001 video game Sonic Adventure 2, is known for his dark, edgy persona and powers that rival those of Sonic, adding a thrilling new dynamic to the upcoming film.
The trailer debuted at CinemaCon in April, where Paramount offered fans an early glimpse of the next installment in the blockbuster series. The footage revealed that the aftermath of Sonic 2 has left Dr. Robotnik (played by Jim Carrey) in a depressed and out-of-shape state. However, Robotnik soon returns to form by creating Shadow, a character determined to bring down Sonic. This new rivalry promises to elevate the stakes in the next chapter of the franchise.
Since its debut in 2020, the Sonic the Hedgehog film series has been a major success, grossing $319 million globally. The 2022 sequel, Sonic 2, further cemented the franchise’s popularity, earning $404 million worldwide. Both films were directed by Jeff Fowler, with Schwartz reprising his role as Sonic and James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, Sonic’s human friend.
Keanu Reeves’ role as Shadow marks a significant new addition to the franchise, following Idris Elba’s portrayal of the antagonist Knuckles in the 2022 sequel. Elba’s character is set to have an expanded role in the upcoming Paramount+ series Knuckles, which will also star Adam Pally.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is scheduled to hit theaters on December 20, continuing the franchise’s momentum with a fresh adversary and more high-speed action.
