Sonic 3 Doubles Down on Jim Carrey! How This Sequel Outshines Previous Films

What’s it About?

Sonic, alongside allies Knuckles and Tails, confronts a new foe—Shadow, a mysterious and powerful enemy with extraordinary abilities. Outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must form an unlikely alliance to stop Shadow and save the planet.

A Villain with Kung-Fu Skills

Teased in the post-credits scene of the previous movie, Shadow is the main attraction in this installment and Sonic’s new adversary. Introduced in 2001, Shadow is essentially Sonic’s dark counterpart, shaped by sorrow and loss, in contrast to Sonic’s more fortunate encounters with friends.

“Shadow is a fascinating character,” says director Jeff Fowler. “He’s been a fan-favorite in the Sonic universe for a long time. By incorporating him into our story, he brings new, exciting dimensions in terms of tone and texture, enhancing our film series. And Keanu embodies everything we envisaged for the character.”

Indeed, Keanu Reeves joins the voice cast alongside Ben Schwartz, Idris Elba, and Colleen O’Shaugnessey in Sonic 3. It’s probably no coincidence that Shadow knows kung-fu: “It was a dream casting for Sonic fans,” the director remarks. “He brought all his skills to this cool, edgy, and enigmatic character, Shadow. It was perfect.”

Double the Jim Carrey, Double the Fun

Perhaps fittingly for the film’s title, Sonic 3 features not one but three antagonists: Shadow, of course, and also Robotnik—times two. Missing since the end of the previous film, Ivo Robotnik returns, and we’re introduced to his grandfather, Gerald, both played by Jim Carrey, who had briefly flirted with retirement in 2022 before changing his mind.

“In the video games, Ivo and Gerald looked almost identical, except one had a brown mustache and the other white,” Fowler explains. “Seeing this was part of the canon and familiar to fans, it struck us as obvious: if we’re having another Robotnik who looks so much like Ivo, why not have Jim Carrey play him too?”

“Fortunately, he said yes, and he was thrilled with the idea. He immediately offered a wealth of suggestions, ways to flesh out the character, giving us something truly special.” This includes a grandfather-grandson scene reminiscent of classic American family films, or a ludicrous duo dodging lasers.

Sonic, Episode 3

Despite these new additions, the movie is not called Shadow – The Movie, nor Robotnik x2. It is, quite simply, Sonic 3. Sega’s mascot remains the star in an episode brimming with characters (Tails and Knuckles return, along with Tom and Maddie, played by James Marsden and Tika Sumpter, respectively).

“With Shadow and the two Robotniks, the stakes in this film have never been higher,” Ben Schwartz, the voice behind the hero for the third time, tells us. “And Sonic’s journey to becoming a leader is a major part of those stakes. Overcoming Shadow plays a big part in his evolution. We’ve matured his voice to reflect this growth.”

Sonic’s journey to becoming a leader is a major part of the film’s stakes.

“While he’s still youthful, he’s more of a teenager now, so his decisions are those of a young adult rather than a child. I’m trying to evolve him in this way, so that Sonic grows along with the audience.”

This audience might see him again in a fourth episode (perhaps in 2026?), hinted at in a post-credits scene, which will be revealed in theaters starting December 25.