Sonic 3 gets its first trailer and confirms Keanu Reeves as Shadow

The Matrix actor will voice Sonic's antagonist in the sequel

Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures has finally released the long-awaited first trailer for Sonic 3: The Movie (Sonic the Hedgehog 3), the new sequel that adapts SEGA's games. The trailer officially confirms that Keanu Reeves, the iconic actor who starred in The Matrix and John Wick, will play Shadow, Sonic's rival, in the story. The film was announced two months before the premiere of Sonic 2: The Movie, which grossed US$400 million at the global box office. Jim Carrey is confirmed for the sequel, which should focus on Shadow the Hedgehog, the antagonist of the hedgehog who debuted in 2001 in video games. 

Haunted by his creation, Shadow is one of the most popular characters among Sonic fans, eventually assuming the role of an antihero in the games and adaptations, but not before becoming one of the protagonist's main rivals. Mixing live-action with CGI and undergoing a major overhaul after the first trailer for the first film was heavily rejected due to the character's design, which was not faithful to the games, the Sonic franchise exceeded expectations. It became one of the most successful video game adaptations in theaters.

Released in early 2020, the first Sonic was one of the most successful video game-based films in recent times. Starring Ben Schwartz as the character's voice, Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik, and James Marsden, it grossed over $300 million at the box office. Schwartz, Carrey, Mardsen, and director Jeff Fowler returned for the sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie, which introduced two of the hedgehog's friends from the games: Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba, who returns for the third film) and Tails. 

The sequel outperformed the original at the box office. In addition to the third film, Paramount also announced the production of a series focused on Knuckles with the return of Elba. The Knuckles series premiered in May 2024 on Paramount+, and then the studio's eyes turned to the third Sonic feature film, which again features Jeff Fowler directing and Ben Schwartz voicing the SEGA mascot. Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie premieres on Christmas Day, December 25.