The trailer for the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 that had the fragile journalists at Kotaku upset has recently been unveiled to the public, marking the return of the iconic character to the big screen in 2024 for the third instalment. Noteworthy additions to the cast include Shadow, joining the ensemble alongside familiar characters from previous films. Building upon the success of its predecessors and with the anticipation surrounding the forthcoming Knuckles series, the film’s producer has expressed aspirations to elevate the Sonic movie franchise to the level of ‘Avengers-Level Events’ that fans eagerly anticipate.
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Although initial footage of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was showcased at Cinemacon earlier this year, the official release of the trailer occurred just a few days ago, setting the stage for its theatrical debut on December 20, 2024. Paramount Pictures announced this release date via the official Sonic Movie Twitter page on August 9, 2022, maintaining the tradition of Sonic films being released every two years albeit in a different season.
Fragile Kotaku journalist Kenneth Shepard attempted to stir controversy back in April by preemptively raising concerns about potential fat-phobia in the forthcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie with his article when he wrote: “According to DiscussingFilm, the footage shown at the event featured Jim Carrey returning as maniacal scientist Dr. Robotnik/Eggman, who has apparently gained weight since we last saw him in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. There’s apparently a line about him taking in a lot of “carbohydrates.” While I know Eggman is a bigger guy in the games, I hope this isn’t just going to be a gateway into fatphobic jokes for the whole movie.” It is probably sour grapes from Kotaku seeing that there is no evident DEI in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
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Fans have noted the significance of the December 20 release date, drawing parallels to the launch of Sonic Adventure 2: Battle on December 20, 2001, following the original Dreamcast version’s release on the 10th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Coupled with Shadow’s appearance in the mid-credits scene of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, speculation suggests Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will heavily draw inspiration from Sonic Adventure 2. Notably, Keanu Reeves has been cast to voice Shadow, a popular character from the Sonic franchise.
Early glimpses of the sequel depict Dr. Robotnik, portrayed by Jim Carrey, grappling with defeat-induced despondency, until the creation of Shadow breathes new life into his ambitions. Shadow, originally introduced in the 2001 video game Sonic Adventure 2, is portrayed as a formidable counterpart to Sonic with comparable speed-based abilities. The film also hints at introducing Maria Robotnik, a pivotal figure from Shadow’s past, and incorporating elements such as the iconic theme “Live and Learn” from Sonic Adventure 2.
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The Sonic the Hedgehog film series has rapidly ascended to become a box office success since its inception, surpassing expectations with each instalment. With the confirmed collaboration of esteemed actors like Reeves and Idris Elba, who voices Knuckles, excitement mounts for the upcoming film, especially given their shared history of involvement in video game-related projects.
With the recent casting developments, speculation arises regarding potential connections between the upcoming Knuckles spin-off series on Paramount+ and the role of Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Fans anticipate further insights into Shadow’s portrayal and how faithfully the movie will align with its source material, Sonic Adventure 2. As the franchise continues to evolve, the prospect of a reunion between Elba and Reeves promises an unforgettable cinematic experience, particularly for fans immersed in both video game universes.
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Fragile is an understatement.
How can they be this fragile when they’re that fat? They could survive a 30 foot drop. lol.