Paramount Pictures has released the first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which introduces one of the blue hedgehog's most iconic foes, the evil hedgehog Shadow – voiced by Keanu Reeves. The third Sonic movie is set to hit theaters on December 20.
The third film — which was greenlit ahead of the sequel’s 2022 release — will explore new areas of the video game universe created by Sega. Although plot details have been kept under wraps, a scene that appeared after the end of “Sonic 2” has sparked speculation about Shadow’s inclusion.
Alongside Ben Schwartz as Sonic, the live-action cast from the previous two films — Jim Carrey as the villainous Doctor Robotnik, James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski, and Lee Magdoub as Agent Stone — will also return to reprise their roles. Additionally, Colleen O'Shaughnessy, who voices Miles “Tails” Brewer, and Idris Elba, who voices Knuckles the Echidna, will return.
Elba most recently starred in Paramount+'s live-action spinoff series “Knuckles,” which followed the eponymous character as he adjusts to life on Earth after his introduction in “Sonic 2.” The show also stars Adam Pally as Sheriff Wade Whipple from the first two “Sonic” films and features Schwartz and O'Shaughnessy as Sonic and Tails. In the miniseries, Knuckles agrees to “train Wade as his apprentice and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior.” The series is set between “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” and “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.”
Sonic the Hedgehog premiered in theaters in February 2020, and a sequel was released in April 2022. The two films have collectively grossed over $724 million at the worldwide box office. Jeff Fowler, who directed the first two films, returns to direct the third.
Watch the full trailer below.
