Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which sees Team Sonic on a brand new adventure, welcomes back the franchise’s all-star cast, plus a few new additions.

“We could not be more excited,” says director Jeff Fowler. “We’ve got Ben Schwartz back voicing Sonic; Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Tails; Idris Elba as Knuckles; James Marsden as the Donut Lord – aka Sheriff Tom Wachowski – Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski; and the incomparable Jim Carrey in not just one, but two key roles. Robotnik’s henchman Agent Stone is once again played by Lee Majdoub. Natasha Rothwell and Shemar Moore have cameos as newlyweds Rachel and Randall. Adam Pally drops in as everybody’s favorite goofy Deputy Wade. And last but not least, our new character, Shadow the Hedgehog, is played by Keanu Reeves. It’s the best cast imaginable.”

In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic, Knuckles and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/fNvhVxfvAUU

In Ben Schwartz’s imaginative hands, Sonic is a flurry of manic energy and goofy humor. “Making people laugh is a beautiful feeling,” says Schwartz. “I spend a lot of my life making thousands of people laugh together and it’s one of my favorite things in the universe. Being able to do that for kids as Sonic sends me over the moon.”

Anyone who likes the earlier films will love this one, promises Schwartz. “We’ve exploded the boundaries,” he says. “There are fights in outer space. There are two different Robotniks. The ultimate life form will destroy the world if the team of Knuckles, Tails and Sonic can’t stop him. This is Sonic’s toughest fight yet and he gets knocked on his butt a couple of times, but he comes back hard.”

Idris Elba, who voices Knuckles, loves the fact that Sonic’s world runs on pure imagination. “We all know hedgehogs don’t move fast. And they’re not blue. But no matter what age you are, this is an experience you don’t want to miss. And make sure you share it — it’s definitely a movie for everyone.”

Colleen O’Shaughnessey, who voices the brainy fox Tails, has been involved in the Sonic world since the early games, and knows Tails inside out. “The love that I’ve gotten playing this character has just been tremendous,” she says. “Sonic fans are some of the most passionate fans in the world. And they’re very opinionated! When they like what you do, that is a huge compliment. It’s overwhelming sometimes.”

According to director Fowler, when the character of Shadow was teased at the end of the second movie, “fans lost their minds.”

“Shadow is a very strong hedgehog,” says Keanu Reeves, who voices the fan favorite Sonic character. “Sonic can’t compete with him at the beginning, but he’s a quick learner. Visually, it’s very exciting. There’s such a spirit of fun and surprise that’s also connected to emotional authenticity for the characters. That allows you to empathize with them.”

In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Jim Carrey not only reprises his scene-stealing role as the perfidious Dr. Ivo Robotnik, he also plays Ivo’s equally treacherous 110-year-old grandfather, Gerald Robotnik, the engineer of Shadow’s evil intentions. “It’s going to be amazing for audiences to see what Jim does with it,” says Fowler. “He had so many funny ideas for the characters. He’s been involved in every little aspect of the Robotnik world, including all of his interactions with his sidekick Agent Stone.”

Everyone must see this film in a movie theater, Carrey recommends. “And see it with your family. No matter how big your TV screen is, the cinema allows you to dream bigger. The artists that created this have painted it on a canvas so large you can get lost in it. But be sure to drop some popcorn so you can find your way back.”

It wouldn’t be a Sonic story without Tom and Maddie Wachowski, the squad’s surrogate parents played by James Marsden and Tika Sumpter. “James is an amazing friend and an incredible actor,” says Fowler. “He always wants to know what we can improve. And Tika is just a ray of sunshine. Her smile lights up a soundstage. She walks on set and we hear that laugh. It just makes everyone relax because we know it’s going to be a fun day.”

Also returning is Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone, Ivo Robotnik’s loyal henchman. “He auditioned for the first film with just a line or two,” says Fowler. “But he made the comedy look so easy and effortless. He has to share scenes with Jim Carrey and he’s always up for everything Jim throws at him. Jim just loves him and so do I. This movie shines a light on what an amazing actor Lee is.”

Krysten Ritter joins the cast as Director Rockwell of G.U.N. Rockwell views Team Sonic with a great deal of suspicion, which can be a detriment to their fight against Shadow. “She’s not exactly on Sonic’s side for a good deal of the movie, which creates some interesting layers for the story,” says Fowler. The filmmakers loved her performance in Jessica Jones and Breaking Bad and thought she’d be the perfect fit to continue to build out G.U.N., an important part of the Sonic world mythology.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 opens in Philippine cinemas January 15, 2025. Join the conversation with the hashtag #SonicMovie3 and tag @paramountpicsph

(Photo and Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”)

((ROHN ROMULO)