The battle for box office supremacy is heating up. Keanu Reeves, the internet’s favorite action hero, has joined the Sonic franchise as the voice of Shadow in Sonic 3. But, there’s a twist: the movie’s release date is going head-to-head with another cinematic giant, Mufasa: The Lion King.
Fans online have dubbed this event the “Barbenheimer of 2024”, referencing last year’s incident when Barbie and Oppenheimer both released on the same date. A clash of the titans is expected between The Lion King‘s devoted fanbase and Sonic‘s cult following.
Sonic‘s speed vs. Mufasa‘s majesty: which will fans choose?
Keanu Reeves, known for his successful John Wick franchise, has joined another beloved franchise: Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog. The actor has lent his voice to the character of Shadow in the upcoming film Sonic 3.
However, with the announcement of the movie’s release date, fans have noticed it clashes with another highly anticipated film, Mufasa: The Lion King. The internet wasted no time and claimed this clash as the “Barbenheimer of 2024″, already anticipating the battle between the two fandoms.
Fan frenzy: the internet’s reaction to the clash
Mufasa: The Lion King is both a prequel and sequel for the 2019 movie adaptation of The Lion King, which has an established fanbase. On the other hand, the Sonic live-action movies have their cult-like following. This sets the stage for an epic box office battle.
The question on everyone’s mind is- which movie will reign supreme? The Matrix star undoubtedly has his charm and fans, so his addition to the already-popular Sonic movie might give it an extra edge.
But fans of the 2019 Disney movie are equally excited about the origin story of Mufasa who was a popular character. The upcoming film delves deeper into the monarch’s journey as a young cub and his eventual accession to the jungle’s throne.
Reeves has also been in blockbuster mode for quite a few years now, with hits like John Wick: Chapter 4 and The Matrix: Resurrections. So the battle is tough on both sides and only time will tell which movie will surpass the other in popularity.
Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic 3 will be available in theatre on 20 December 2024.
