Keanu Reeves voices the arch-villain Shadow in the Sonic 3 trailer

On November 28, 2024By Littum

In addition to Reeves, new cast members include Krysten Ritter as Director Rockwell; Alyla Browne as Maria, a young girl from Shadow’s past; and Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernandez, James Wolk and Jorma Taccone in yet to be revealed roles. Sonic 3 will also introduce the Chao creatures in Chao Gardens.

A tragic back story

It’s no surprise that Carrey is back again as “Eggman” Robotnik, this time playing a dual role: Robotnik and the character’s grandfather, Professor Gerald Robotnik, a genetic engineer who created Shadow while trying to cure his daughter Maria of a fatal disease. In the games, Shadow suffers from past trauma associated with Maria’s death; the two were close friends.

When she is killed by the Guardian Units of Nations (GUN), Shadow sets out for revenge before remembering his promise to Maria to prevent the destruction of the world. He eventually becomes an anti-hero ally for Sonic. We already knew that the third film would likely feature Shadow, thanks to a mid-credits scene Sonic 2 inform us of the discovery of a secret research facility for something called “Project Shadow.” (Director Jeff Fowler once worked as a character animator, and that was Shadow one of his first jobs.)

It’s clear from the new trailer that Shadow is in his early villain phase here. The trailer opens with Sonic and friends at a kid-friendly diner, where a kid mistakes Tails for Pikachu – before they’re viciously attacked. Cut to Robotnik Sr., who says, “It’s time, Shadow” – time for revenge. The trio are captured by the Robotniks, but they escape and end up in the Wachowskis’ living room, and naturally the pair go on a super-dangerous top-secret mission. We see a flashback to Shadow’s friendship with Maria as well as Sonic and Shadow getting ready to throw down (“This ends now”). As always, the smart money is on Team Sonic.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 opens in theaters on December 20, 2024.