Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is coming this Christmas, and we finally have the first trailer for the new movie.
Paramount released the first trailer for Sonic 3 on August 27, giving us our first look at Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog and an unlikely team-up between Sonic and Dr Robotnik.
The threequel wrapped filming in late March 2024, so hopefully everything is on track for the December release now that the trailer has finally been released.
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So as we wait for that early Christmas treat, here's everything you need to know about Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 release date: When can we expect Sonic 3?
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is set to be released in US cinemas on December 20 and then in UK cinemas on December 21.
It's a change from the previous two movies, which were released in the earlier part of the year (February 2020 and April 2022, respectively). The box-office success of those movies shows that a Christmas release makes total sense.
Live-action filming started in late November 2023, following earlier filming centred on the animation which commenced in September 2023. It all wrapped up in late March 2024 so everything seems to be ready.
If you just can't wait for your Sonic fix, spin-off series Knuckles – set between the sequel and the third movie – is available to watch now on Paramount+.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 trailer: Watch the Sonic 3 trailer here!
As mentioned above, the first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was released on August 27, 2024.
The trailer teased an epic fight involving Sonic, Tails and Knuckles against Shadow, as well as a second role for Jim Carrey in the movie (more on that below).
If you missed it above, check out the Sonic 3 trailer below:
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 cast: Who's coming back for Sonic 3?
Ben Schwartz is, of course, back as Sonic and he'll likely be joined again by Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Tails and Idris Elba as Knuckles.
Jim Carrey revealed his imminent retirement from his long acting career in the wake of Sonic 2's release. He said he was "fairly serious" about taking a break from the industry and Sonic producers Toby Ascher and Neal H Moritz said in April 2022 that they "wouldn't even try" to recast the role.
Luckily, Carrey changed his mind and it was confirmed in February 2024 that he is back as Dr Robotnik in the new movie.
The trailer than revealed that he's also appearing in the movie as Professor Gerald Robotnik. He's Dr Robotnik's grandfather and in the video game series, he has a role in Shadow's origin story.
In terms of the other human characters, we'll be seeing James Marsden and Tika Sumpter back as Sonic's 'parents' Tom and Maddie Wachowski, Lee Majdoub as Robotnik's long-suffering employee Agent Stone and Adam Pally as Green Hills deputy sheriff Wade Whipple.
We'll also see Tom Butler back as Commander Walters, hinting that GUN will play a bigger part in the third movie with Shadow's arrival.
As mentioned above, Keanu Reeves leads the newcomers for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as the voice of Shadow the Hedgehog.
Other newcomers include Krysten Ritter, Alyla Browne, Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernández, James Wolk and Jorma Taccone.
Most of their roles are still a secret, including whether they're a voice role or not, but we now know that Ritter is playing Director Rockwell and Browne is playing Maria, a name that should be familiar to all Sonic fans.
Shadow's origin story in the games involves the likes of Dr Robotnik's grandfather Gerald Robotnik and his cousin Maria Robotnik.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 plot: What is Sonic 3 about?
Along with the first trailer, Paramount released the official synopsis for Sonic the Hedgehog 3:
"Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before," it reads.
"With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet."
The movie follows on from the credit scene tease of the sequel which saw GUN searching for Robotnik, but no sign could be found. Agent Stone (Lee Majdoub) was then seen sneaking around, so there's no doubt he's helped his boss escape.
Then we got our first glimpse of Shadow the Hedgehog, who will be around to cause trouble for Sonic in the threequel. Fowler wouldn't go into more details but did share his excitement with ComicBook.com in April 2022.
"I'm hesitant to go into too much detail, only because it's obviously still very early. I will say that we are teasing a character that I'm incredibly excited about. It's very personal to me as a fan," he noted.
As for what the cast wants to see, O'Shaughnessey told Digital Spy in April 2022 that she hoped Tails would get a bigger role: "I hope we get to see more and more of him, and see where his gadgets can take everybody."
Carrey added: "I think [Robotnik] should get into nanotechnology. I'd like his machines to be released in an aerosol that can be ingested in the human body and turn people into him." Here's hoping Carrey decides to stick around to make it happen!
Schwartz isn't giving any specific plot details away, but he did tease what we can expect from it to The Playlist: "For [the sequel], we blew it out so much, and for 3, it's going to be bananas, it's going to be crazy! I can't wait."
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be released in US cinemas on December 20 and in UK cinemas on December 21.
Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.
Gabriella Geisinger is a freelance film critic and journalist, with a focus on J-drama & film, and the Japanese production industry. She was previously Locations Editor at Screen International and Deputy Movies Editor at Digital Spy. Her writing can also befound in Curzon, 1883, and more. A born and raised New Yorker, she loves coffee and the colour black, obviously.
