It’s here! Sonic fans, get ready for the next chapter in the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise. Titled Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the trailer released today introduces us to Shadow the Hedgehog, which was teased during Sonic the Hedgehog 2 end credits and Dr. Gerald Robotnik.
As seen in the amazing trailer above, Sonic has found his family with Tails and Knuckles, and while that journey was challenging, he never changed his personality or morals. However, this could all change with the introduction of Shadow, a government-created hedgehog. The vengeful anti-hero broke out of the government facility where he was being kept captive. Unable to capture Shadow on their own, Team Sonic is tasked with bringing him back.
“Project Shadow is beyond anything we’ve ever encountered.”
Shadow’s personality is strikingly different from Sonic’s (Ben Schwartz’s) happy persona. While he is similar to Sonic, he grew up without a caring family and friends; instead, his life was filled with pain and loss. As Shadow destroys the city, Team Sonic soon discovers they are no match for Shadow. Voiced by Keanu Reeves, Shadow, unimpressed, describes Team Sonic as a “colorful bunch” before taking them all down in a fight. Even Knuckles is no match for Shadow’s dominating strength, as he is stopped in slow motion by him, almost breaking his knuckle.
Shadow is just too powerful, as he is seen taking down military forces and putting Tom’s life in danger. The only person who can help stop him is Dr. Ivo Robotnik, who is now a shadow (no pun intended) of the dominating force he once was. Overweight with an overgrown beard and hair, he agrees to help them, declaring, “If I can’t rule the world, I might as well save it.”
Filled with gaming Easter Eggs (yes, that was Sonic doing the Akira bike slice) and exquisite, crisp cinematography, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 looks and feels exciting. Just when the trailer seems perfect, they reveal Dr. Robotnik’s (Jim Carrey) grandfather, who plays a key role in the larger Sonic franchise.
In Sonic Adventure 2, Dr. Gerald Robotnik was a world-renowned scientist who created Shadow. Shadow interacted with Gerald’s granddaughter, Maria, who appears to be bonding with Shadow in the trailer. In the Sonic lore, they become best friends before she is killed in a raid.
Shadow’s spirit is broken by her death, and he vows vengeance. Hence his destruction of the city and why Team Sonic was called. Dr. Gerald Robotnik is also heartbroken over Maria’s death, and in the video games he becomes mad while planning his own revenge.
While it’s doubtful Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will go completely dark, the trailer appears to allude to Shadow’s loss and determination to seek revenge. It will be interesting to see how Jim Carrey pulls off playing both Drs and the weight of losing and finding family.
Director Jeff Fowler returns along with our all-star cast, including Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub, and newcomers Alyla Browne and Krysten Ritter, with Keanu Reeves joining the franchise as Shadow the Hedgehog.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 releases in theaters in December.
