Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is an upcoming action-adventure comedy film based on the video game series published by Sega and the sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022). Directed by Jeff Fowler, the film stars James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Lee Majdoub, Idris Elba, and Jim Carrey reprising their roles.
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. The film will draw inspiration from the video games Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) and Shadow the Hedgehog (2005).
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is scheduled to be theatrically released by Paramount Pictures in the United States on December 20, 2024.
Cast
Voice cast
- Ben Schwartz as Sonic the Hedgehog: An anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who can run at supersonic speeds.[3]
- Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Miles "Tails" Prower: An anthropomorphic yellow-orange fox who can fly with his twin-tails.[3]
- Idris Elba as Knuckles the Echidna: A hot-headed and serious anthropomorphic red echidna warrior with super strength.[3]
Additionally, Shadow the Hedgehog is set to appear in the film.[4]
Live-action cast
- James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, the adoptive father of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, and the sheriff of Green Hills, Montana.[3]
- Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski, Tom's wife, the adoptive mother of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, and the local veterinarian of Green Hills.[3]
- Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik, a mad scientist and Sonic's arch-nemesis who he often refers to as "Eggman".[3]
- Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone, Robotnik's assistant.[3]
- Tom Butler as Commander Walters, the former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who is the leader of the military organization Guardian Units of Nations (G.U.N.).[3]
- Alyla Browne as Maria[5]
Additionally, Krysten Ritter, James Wolk, Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernández, and Jorma Taccone were cast in undisclosed roles.[3]
Production
Development
In February 2022, Sega Sammy Group and Paramount Pictures had been in development of a third Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) film after Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022). The film was formally announced during ViacomCBS's investor event.[6] Jeff Fowler returned as director, and Neal H. Mortiz, Toby Ascher, Toru Nakahara, and Hitoshi Okuno returned as producers.[7] A series starring Knuckles the Echidna, who had appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, for Paramount+, was developed simultaneously with the film.[6]
Casting
On March 6, 2020, James Marsden confirmed that he had signed on for multiple sequels.[8] In April 2022, Jim Carrey–who portrays Dr. Robotnik in the films–announced that he was considering retiring from acting.[9] With his possible retirement, Moritz and Ascher confirmed that his role as Robotnik would not be recast in any sequels if he followed through with his retirement plans. However, they remained hopeful that they could develop scripts good enough for him to continue the role.[10] In February 2024, it was officially confirmed that Carrey would be reprising his role for the film,[7] along with Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, Lee Majdoub, and Tom Butler.[3] Krysten Ritter, Alyla Browne, James Wolk, Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernández, and Jorma Taccone were cast in undisclosed roles;[3] Taccone was previously hired as an episode director for the Knuckles series.[11] Schwartz began recording for the film the same month.[12]
Filming
Second-unit filming began in late July 2023 for animated characters only without physical actors (due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike) in Farnham, Surrey, England.[13] Principal photography was originally scheduled to begin on August 31, 2023, in London, England,[14][15] but was delayed to September of that year.[16] Production with physical actors started on November 29, 2023, announced with a teaser image of Shadow the Hedgehog's stand-in statue used in filming.[4]
Music
In December 2023, Crush 40 vocalist Johnny Gioeli said there had been talks of including the song "Live & Learn" from Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) in the film.[17] In January 2024, Tom Holkenborg, who also composed for the first two films, was announced to be returning for the film.[18] The following month, Gioeli confirmed "Live & Learn" would be included in the film.[19]