sonic_the_hedgehog_51

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a 2024 action-adventure comedy film based on the video game series published by Sega. The sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), and the third installment in the Sonic the Hedgehog film series, it was directed by Jeff Fowler from a screenplay by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington, based on a story by Casey and Miller. Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, and Idris Elba reprise their roles, with Krysten Ritter and Keanu Reeves joining the cast. In the film, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles ally with Dr. Robotnik to defeat a new enemy, Shadow the Hedgehog.

Plans for a third Sonic the Hedgehog film were announced in February 2022 during ViacomCBS's investor event before the release of the second film. Due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, filming for animated characters began in July 2023 in Surrey, England, while filming with physical actors began in November of that year in London, with production concluding by March 2024. The film draws inspiration from the video games Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) and Shadow the Hedgehog (2005). Reeves was cast due to the parallels between his performance in the John Wick films and Fowler's vision for Shadow; despite pondering retirement, Carrey returned for the installment due to financial reasons. Many elements of Shadow's characterization in the games were adapted for the screen in a "fan faithful" rendition.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is scheduled to be theatrically released by Paramount Pictures in the United States on December 20, 2024. Initial reception was highly positive, with critics finding it even better than the prior installments and with particular praise for the performances of Reeves and Carrey.