The Sonic franchise has been one of the most popular IPs in gaming. Audiences have loved the titular character’s adventures with his friends Tails and Knuckles for many years. When Paramount took up the responsibility for a live-action adaptation of the games, it was met with a lot of skepticism but the first film turned out to be delightfully charming.
The first two Sonic films were hits for the studio and the recent Knuckles series also made for an entertaining watch. The franchise is now returning with a third Sonic film and the first trailer sees the debut of Shadow in live-action. Shadow’s tragic backstory is briefly shown which will serve as the motivating factor of the character who is treated as an antagonist in the film.
Exciting Trailer For Sonic 3 Teases A Complex And Tragic Past For Keanu Reeves’ Shadow
The first two Sonic The Hedgehog films were delightful adaptations of the popular video game series with the titular character battling against Dr. Robotnik. The films also introduced other fan-favorite characters such as Miles ‘Tails’ Prower and Knuckles Echidna, and successfully captured the essence of the characters.
The trailer of Sonic The Hedgehog 3 was recently released and it revealed that Shadow the Hedgehog will be a huge part of the film. The character is voiced by Keanu Reeves and fans will be pleased to see that Shadow’s tragic backstory from the games will not be altered in the film and will indeed serve as an emotional anchor for the character.
In the Sonic lore, Shadow is created by Gerald Robotnik to be the ultimate weapon under the United Federation. However, the Professor created Shadow to be a remedy for his granddaughter Maria who was suffering from an unknown disease. However, Project Shadow gets shut down when GUN soldiers invade ARK and accidentally kill Maria who was the only person that Shadow had developed a connection with.
On X, fans believe the film will take this tragic backstory as Shadow’s motivating factor for breaking bad. They appreciate the fact that the film is exploring a much darker and emotional story compared to the first two films. Here are some of the reactions,
KINDA crazy how Maria's death isn't gonna be adapted in vague strokes or anything
the games always did the minimal yet effective one shot of her face and then the soldier thing
but Sonic 3 LITERALLY HAS HER BODY ON THE GROUND, THATS CRAZY??? 😭😭
This movie is gonna kick ass. pic.twitter.com/yUerj7XFdr— Boost ☆ 🇵🇷 (@Boos2fer) August 27, 2024
Not only that but Gerald wasn't executed. Meaning he's gonna try to get his revenge personally.
— Tailuigi Jumprower #SaveTF2 (@Tailuigi) August 27, 2024
This is definitely a flashback shadow's having and won't be brought up till later on. Cause the first thing he's about to do when he's released is search for Maria, God is wonder how they're gonna bring that out
— SilverNick (@SilverNick5) August 27, 2024
Oh god I’m not ready for this part people I’m sensitive person and I feel that I’m not ready for this scene.
— Wolfstar🐺✨ (ℂ𝕆𝕄𝕄𝕀 𝕆𝕡𝕖𝕟 0/5) (@Werewolfpopsta1) August 27, 2024
We're all gonna be crying at the theater
— 🏳️🌈 Luca 🏳️🌈 (@EthanPayero) August 27, 2024
The trailer also shows Sonic and his friends seeking help from Dr. Robotnik to take down Shadow. The doctor also gets to reunite with his grandfather Gerald who will also want revenge for what happened to his granddaughter. Sonic 3 promises to be a thrilling adventure with some cathartic moments that fans will love.
Sonic 3 Producer Hypes Up The Film As The Most Exciting Entry Of The Franchise
The Sonic The Hedgehog franchise is returning with a third film this year with Keanu Reeves‘ Shadow serving as the antagonist. The franchise’s producer Toby Ascher revealed to GamesRadar+ that the film will take a lot of inspiration from 2001’s Sonic Adventure 2 (the game in which Shadow was introduced).
Ascher further teased that the third film is probably the most exciting entry of the franchise, calling it a giant, fun, incredible movie. The producer said,
Sonic 3 is probably the most exciting thing that we’ve done in the franchise. It’s going to be this giant, fun, incredible movie that obviously takes a lot from Sonic Adventure 2 and some of the games that I know the core Sonic Team grew up loving.
The film will see the return of Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Lee Majdoub, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey. Reeves, Krysten Ritter, and Alyla Brown are joining the franchise with this third film.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will hit theatres on December 20, 2024.
