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Sonic the Hedgehog 3

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For other uses, see Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (disambiguation).

"This whole mess is my fault. I've been so blinded by rage, I thought... I had no choice."
"You always have a choice. Making the right one is never easy. One more thing I learned is that when you really screw something up, you can't fix it on your own."
―Shadow the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog 3[n 1] is a 2024 action-adventure comedy film based on the video game series of the same name. It is the sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and Knuckles. It is the third film and the fourth installment in the Sonic the Hedgehog Cinematic Universe and it was released on December 20, 2024.

The film was directed by Jeff Fowler and stars Jim Carrey as Ivo Robotnik/Doctor Eggman and Gerald Robotnik, Ben Schwartz as Sonic the Hedgehog, Krysten Ritter as Director Rockwell, Natasha Rothwell as Rachel and Shemar Moore as Randall Handel, with James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski, Idris Elba as Knuckles the Echidna and Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog.

The fourth film in the series, Sonic the Hedgehog 4, is set to release on March 19, 2027.

Synopsis[]

Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.

Plot[]

STH3Trailer1Screenshot15

Shadow the Hedgehog breaks free from his cryo-pod

On Prison Island, a G.U.N. military prison in Tokyo Bay, Japan, security monitor Kyle Lancebottom monitors a black Hedgehog kept in cryostasis. The routine is interrupted when the system is hacked, and to Lancebottom's shock, the Hedgehog awakens. Breaking free from his cryo-pod, he easily dispatches the opposing G.U.N. soldiers while teleporting and bursts through the facility's walls, skating towards Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo. There, the Hedgehog finds himself surrounded by local authorities and G.U.N. agents and grows annoyed at their interference.

Sonic3Dec12 06

Sonic learns of the anniversary of his arrival on Earth

The Wachowski family goes camping in Green Hills, Montana's forests, where Tails and Knuckles the Echidna challenge Sonic the Hedgehog to a race. Confident in his victory, Sonic reaches the goal plate only to find the two there waiting for him. Realizing they were holograms, he sped back to the starting point and comes across a surprise party planned by his friends and Tom and Maddie Wachowski in celebration of the anniversary of his arrival on Earth. Sonic later walks with Tom, thankful for the party. He spots the cave he used to live in and shows Tom a drawing he made of his former caretaker, Longclaw. Tom reassures Sonic that Longclaw would be proud of him, reminding him that staying true to his heart will always guide him to make the right choices.

Sonic VS Shadow USA Today Still

Shadow prepares to end his confrontation with Sonic

That evening, G.U.N. Director Rockwell arrives at the camping site, recruiting Team Sonic on a mission in Tokyo on behalf of Commander Walters. Through a ring portal, the team arrives in Tokyo via helicopter as a giant explosion booms in Shibuya, leading them to their target. Encouraging the team to stick together, Sonic and his friends skydive down to Shibuya. Once they land, Tails receives high energy readings on his Miles Electric amidst the destruction, emanated by the rogue Hedgehog that bears a striking resemblance to Sonic; he quickly defeats him and his teammates. Sonic stubbornly follows the Hedgehog, who equipped a G.U.N. laser pistol and motorbike, across Tokyo and up the Tokyo Skytree. Both their chaos energies peak as their fists meet, a brief city blackout ensuing. Sonic comes by atop the building, cuffed to one of its bars with Tails' Titanium Handcuffs. Tails, who frees Sonic, reproaches him for acting on his own, Sonic confessing that he is still new to being part of a team and telling the rest that they must regroup with G.U.N. to get answers.

STH3Trailer1Screenshot50

Team Sonic and Walters are attacked

Tails brings the team to the Chao Garden, a restaurant where they are photographed, to talk with Walters. Walters explains that the Hedgehog, named Shadow the Hedgehog, was found inside a meteorite that crashed in Oklahoma around the early 1970s. Given Air Shoes to enhance his speed and Limiter Rings to stabilize his powers, Shadow's abilities were tested under the secret government program Project Shadow as scientists believed it would usher in a new era for humanity, though they proved too dangerous. The project leader was detained after an incident took place that destroyed the laboratory and caused numerous casualties, and Shadow was held in cryostasis on Prison Island by Walters' order. After a swarm of Flying Eggs bombard the restaurant, a dying Walters gives Team Sonic a keycard to a powerful weapon built by G.U.N. They follow the mysterious motorcyclist that disabled the Badniks once Rockwell arrives and discovers the picture of the team in Walters' pocket, finding the keycard missing. Believing Team Sonic betrayed them to steal the keycard, Rockwell turns against them.

EggmanShaved

Eggman is shaven by Stone

The cyclist stops by a dock and reveals himself as Stone to Team Sonic, debunking their presumptions of Doctor Eggman orchestrating the attack. Inviting them into the Mecha Crab Eggman hid inside, Team Sonic find that in the months following his defeat, he has become a pudgy hermit, plaintively binging a telenovela. Informed that his Flying Eggs were hijacked, an offended Eggman tracks the location of the culprit. Tails and Knuckles agreeing that they and Eggman are after the same opponent, Sonic reluctantly proposes a truce and offers him a quill as per his one condition. Eggman is adorned and he dons his old suit.

STH3Final40

Shadow stargazes with Maria Robotnik

Shadow returns to the lab's ruins, uncovering a roller skate belonging to Maria Robotnik, who was greeted by a young Walters when she first moved into the facility, stumbling upon and immediately bonding with Shadow. The two used to stargaze, Maria teaching Shadow that a star's light might take years to reach Earth and may no longer exist once it does. Unaware which star he hails from, he asks if he poses a threat. Maria assures him that, as her friend, he can be or do anything he chooses because of who he is at heart. Shadow's reminiscing is interrupted by the project leader, who invites him to punish those who did him wrong.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Stills 11

Sonic and Eggman arrive at the laboratory

Team Sonic and their enemies arrive at the lab, splitting up to search for the culprit. While they are captured by Shadow, Eggman is left unharmed as he comes across his Flying Eggs and the project leader, who reveals himself as Gerald Robotnik, Eggman's long-lost grandfather that had orchestrated recent events and was unable to raise Eggman due to his imprisonment. Eggman betrays Team Sonic, who were tied to a pole, as he allies himself with Gerald. Shadow takes the keycard from them before Gerald explains his plot to power the Eclipse Cannon, a giant laser cannon attached to the Space Colony ARK designed for and built by G.U.N. in exchange for his freedom which he plans to use against them.

STH3Trailer1Screenshot39

Team Sonic are confronted by a black hole

"Team Robotnik" heads toward the Guardian Units of Nations Headquarters in London, England after Shadow unleashes an orb containing a black hole to get rid of Team Sonic. He refused to listen to Sonic, who has found out Shadow's revenge is led by Maria's passing. While the Robotniks spend quality time together virtually, Team Sonic omits the black hole and arrives at the Wachowski Residence, requesting the Wachowskis' assistance. Tails devises a plan in which the Wachowskis infiltrate G.U.N. HQ to insert a drive in the server room that grants Tails control over the building and its forcefield. Sonic would pass by a laser hallway and enter a vault containing the second keycard to the cannon.

Sonic to Forcefield

Sonic infiltrates the Guardian Units of Nations Headquarters

Team Robotnik arrives in London, Eggman and Gerald planning to infiltrate the building as well while Shadow and Stone lay back in the sewers. When the Wachowskis, disguised as agents Rachel and Randall Handel, insert the drive, they find out that Team Robotnik has done the same. Speeding through London, Sonic arrives inside the laser hall as the Robotniks unlock the vault, the three then being bested by floor tiles that manipulate gravity. Rockwell takes the keycard as the Wachowskis and Tails are brought to the vault apprehended, which Knuckles, perching atop Big Ben, breaches with incredible strength. He fails to disable the floor's effects and instead breaks its system, affecting everyone under varying gravities.

Shadow punches Walters

Shadow strikes "Walters"

The effects wear off after Sonic spin dashes and saves the Wachowskis from falling debris. Tom takes the keycard Rockwell reacquired disguised as Walters, only to be confronted and incapacitated by Shadow. Sonic attends to Tom distraught, reminding Shadow of him and Maria. He leaves, gives Gerald the keycard, and teleports the Robotniks to the ARK. As they don their nanosuits that control the ARK, Stone calls Eggman to express his distrust in Gerald, but is scolded and dismissed for his claims.

Super Sonic (Sonic 3)

Sonic transforms into Super Sonic

As Tom is hospitalized, Sonic contemplates using the Master Emerald to stop Team Robotnik. Knuckles, disapproving of Sonic's suggestion, tries convincing him to consider their oath and that anger is clouding his judgment. Part of the oath is to trust each other, however, so he reveals that the Emerald lies under Wade Whipple's guard, who is playing hockey with it atop the Green Hills Sheriff's Station. Arriving per ring portal, Sonic takes the emerald from Whipple and uses the Chaos Emeralds stored within to transform into Super Sonic.

Super Sonic attacks Shadow

Super Sonic confronts Shadow

The ARK having taken off into space, Shadow questions if their plan is fit to Maria's wishes, Gerald rebutting that it's what humanity deserves. Shadow is told to recall how Gerald fled with him and Maria from G.U.N. soldiers aiming their weapons at them. Walters was there to stop them, only for one soldier to mistakenly shoot a vial containing chaos energy, Maria dying upon the vial's explosion. Further enraged by this memory, Shadow hurriedly powers the cannon's core with his chaos energy, which Gerald reveals will pulverize both Earth and the ARK, to Eggman's shock. Suddenly, a vengeful Super Sonic flies through the ARK and drags Shadow along, telling him that their feud must end. Shadow tells his adversary that he recognizes his anger in him, despite Super Sonic's denial.

STH3Final56

Super Shadow battles Super Sonic

Landing on Earth, Sonic has the Chaos Emeralds struck out of him by Shadow, both parties rushing back to them. The two Hedgehogs span a heated battle across the world as Super Sonic and Super Shadow while Eggman attempts to stop Gerald's plans, engaging in a duel fought with their nanosuits. Settling their fight, Super Shadow confronts Super Sonic on how he left his family and friends behind in favor of revenge, convinced he doesn't care for them and Tom in particular. Deeply angered, Super Sonic delivers a powerful strike that disposes Shadow of his transformation and lands him atop the Moon.

Super Sonic and Super Shadow destroying the Gun Hunters in the space

Super Sonic and Super Shadow work together

He follows him, aiming a finishing blow towards his heart, which reminds Super Sonic of Tom's lecture. Regretting his actions, Sonic relents and sits beside a stargazing Shadow, who states that the pain he felt from Maria's death is all he knows. Sonic admits that he felt the same way in regard to Longclaw and that the feeling never went away, though he learned to hold onto the love he felt for her. He tells Shadow to do the same for Maria. Shadow confesses he thought his blind rage left him no choice but to seek revenge, but Sonic assures him that he always has a choice. Making amends with him, Sonic invites Shadow to fix his mess, reassuming their super forms to fight a fleet of Gun Hunters deployed by Gerald.

STH3Final38

The Moon is accidentally cut in half

Eggman and Gerald continued their battle, but Gerald overpowers him, tossing his grandson off a catwalk. He was however rescued by Tails and Knuckles, who arrived through a ring portal. Launching Gerald into the electric current Shadow generated with Sonic's quill that had turned super, the three cooperate to redirect the laser emitted by the cannon as the Hedgehogs withstand the laser as it fires. Super Sonic eventually faints, plummeting towards Earth as the laser is successfully redirected, though it cuts the Moon in half.

STH3Final53

Doctor Eggman stabilizes the Space Colony ARK

Knuckles hurls Tails towards Sonic to transport him to Earth safely with a ring as Super Shadow pushes the ARK away; Eggman tries to keep its overloading core from threatening all life on Earth and films a goodbye message broadcasted on Earth for Stone in which he calls him his friend. Tails faints as he enters Earth's atmosphere, Knuckles catching the ring he let go and opening a portal to a corn field, where Sonic asks for his friends' forgiveness. The team shares a group hug after remarking Eggman and Shadow's sacrifices. Unbeknownst to the team, Shadow survived the explosion, retrieving one of his Limiter Rings he took off to push the ARK.

Amy meets Sonic

Amy Rose meets Sonic

Sometime later, Team Sonic and the Wachowskis continue their camping trip, hugging each other and including a recovered Tom and Ozzie in the hug. Sonic proposes to race his friends once again, running way past the finish line and finding himself in New York State Park. Sonic is confronted by a robotic doppelganger that shoots at him and taunts the robot for missing him. To his revelation, Sonic is soon encircled by a horde of 'Metal Sonics' that all pounce on him. Luckily, a hammer destroys the robots, belonging to a cloaked figure that reveals herself as another Hedgehog, Amy Rose.

Cast[]

Appearances[]

Locations[]

Events[]

Items[]

Vehicles[]

Sentient Species[]

Creatures[]

Organizations[]

Mentioned[]

Production[]

On April 5, 2021, writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller expressed interest in making a third film, in which they'd want to reuse a cut Doctor Eggman scene from Sonic the Hedgehog 2.[1]

On February 15, 2022, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was officially announced to be in development at the ViacomCBS Investors Connect day, along with Knuckles.[2][3]

In April 2022, Jim Carrey announced his retirement from acting, only returning if the script for the third film would be good enough.[4] Producers Neal H. Moritz and Toby Ascher said that the role of Eggman would not be replaced and are hopeful of the script.[5]

On May 13, 2022, Casey and Miller announced their interest in adapting the storylines of Sonic Adventure 2 and Shadow the Hedgehog for a future film. They revealed that they've reached out to a celebrity to voice Shadow the Hedgehog, as they preferred, and were discussing the potential involvement of the band Crush 40, including their iconic song "Live and Learn." They also noted that Carrey's involvement remains uncertain, as the project was still in an early "blue sky" phase, exploring various creative directions. The movie was tentatively expected to be released in about two years.[6]

On August 9, 2022, it was announced that the film will release on December 20, 2024.[7]

On December 26, 2022, Casey and Miller clarified that Shadow would keep his serious background despite the film's comedic tone. They also revealed that Lee Majdoub would reprise his role as agent Stone, due to the praise the character has been getting following his previous appearances.[8]

On January 25, 2023, it was reported that Jason Momoa was in talks to join the cast of the film after previously being in talks to voice Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.[9]

On May 25, 2023, Casey confirmed that writing for the film had been finished prior to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.[10]

On June 20, 2023, it was reported that the film would start principal photography on August 31, 2023 in London.[11] It was announced on August 9, 2023 that, to compromise with the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, principal photography would be shot excluding on-set actors by September instead.[12]

On November 29, 2023, production with physical actors started, as revealed with a promotional image showcasing the lower body of a Shadow the Hedgehog stand-in beside a clapperboard with the film's updated logo plastered on it.[13]

On January 31, 2024, it was reported that Tom Holkenborg would return to compose the score for the film.[14]

On February 2, 2024, it was announced that Carrey would reprise his role as Doctor Eggman.[15] It was also revealed by IGN that Krysten Ritter, Alyla Browne, James Wolk, Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernández and Jorma Taccone had been cast in undisclosed roles.[16]

On February 4, 2024, the lead singer of Crush 40, Johnny Gioeli, confirmed that "Live and Learn" would be included in the movie.[17] Paramount Pictures had acquired the rights to use the song.[18]

Filming with on-set actors wrapped by March 2024.[19][20]

On April 15, 2024, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Keanu Reeves was casted as Shadow the Hedgehog.[21]

By July 14, 2024, Holkenborg had completed the score for the film. He also saw a full and probable early version of the film a day prior.[22]

On August 27, 2024, the date of the first trailer's release, it was revealed that Jim Carrey would also portray Gerald Robotnik and that Krysten Ritter would portray Director Rockwell.[23][24]

Videos[]

Trailers[]

TV Spots[]

Clips[]

Featurettes[]

Other[]

Music[]

Song title Artist Location(s)
Lollipop Tempura Kidz
99 Red Balloons Goldfinger
  • Sonic races against Tails and Knuckles through Green Hills.
Neon One Ok Rock
I Want You Back Folder
  • Team Sonic and Commander Walters watch a show at the Chao Garden.
Bongoru Noro Morales
  • Doctor Eggman plays congas with his belly, as Team Sonic watches him disgusted.
Firestarter The Prodigy
  • Eggman gets a makeover from Stone.
End of the Line Traveling Wilburys
The Way We Were Barbra Streisand
Wouldn't It Be Nice The Beach Boys
  • After bonding with each other, Ivo and Gerald end up going through an imaginary series of life events like Halloween and Christmas.
Green Hill Zone Jon Batiste
London Town Mr Eazi
Galvanize The Chemical Brothers
  • The Robotniks break into the G.U.N. Headquarters, while dancing.[26]
Run It Jelly Roll
  • End credits.

Notes[]

  1. ↑ Titled Sonic x Shadow TOKYO MISSION (ソニック × シャドウ TOKYO MISSION, Sonikku x Shadō TOKYO MISSION) in Japan.

References[]

The Sonic Cinematic Universe Wiki has a collection of images related to Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
  1. ↑ Episode 27 - Pat Casey and Josh Miller (Sonic the Hedgehog)
  2. ↑ Paramount+ on Twitter - February 15, 2022
  3. ↑ ‘Sonic The Hedgehog' Universe Expands As Sega And Paramount Sign Off On Third Film And ‘Knuckles' Spinoff Series At Paramount+ With Idris Elba Reprising Role
  4. ↑ Jim Carrey ‘Fairly Serious' About Retiring From Acting: ‘I Have Enough. I've Done Enough'
  5. ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Producers Believe Jim Carrey Would Return for Part 3
  6. ↑ KCC Comic Con 2022: Q&A with screenwriters Pat Casey & Josh Miller
  7. ↑ @SonicMovie on X - August 9, 2022
  8. ↑ Sonic Movie Writers Talk Big the Cat, Shadow, & Agent Stone
  9. ↑ Exclusive: Jason Momoa In Talks For Sonic The Hedgehog 3
  10. ↑ Pat Casey on Twitter - May 25, 2023
  11. ↑ 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' Sets Summer Filming Start Date in London
  12. ↑ UK crews in crisis as SAG-AFTRA strike thwarts production: “Is the UK industry really our own?”
  13. ↑ @SonicMovie on X - November 29, 2023
  14. ↑ Tom Holkenborg to Return for Jeff Fowler's ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3'
  15. ↑ Jim Carrey Returning for ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3' (EXCLUSIVE)
  16. ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Adds Krysten Ritter, Cristo Fernández, Alyla Browne, and More
  17. ↑ Sonic City | Sonic News, Media, Community (@soniccitynet) on Twitter - February 4, 2024
  18. ↑ Live and Learn to be included in Sonic Movie 3, Crush 40 vocalist Johnny Gioeli tells Tails' Channel
  19. ↑ Michael Keaton & James Marsden Discuss Knox Goes Away, Batman, Deadpool, Sonic & More
  20. ↑ Jeff Fowler on X - March 28, 2024
  21. ↑ Keanu Reeves Joins ‘Sonic 3' as Shadow
  22. ↑ 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' Gets Exciting Update From Composer Junkie XL
  23. ↑ Tails' Channel on X - August 27, 2024
  24. ↑ Tails' Channel on X - August 27, 2024
  25. ↑ @ONEOKROCK_japan on X - December 11, 2024
  26. ↑ @SonicMovie on X - December 15, 2024

External Links[]

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