Sonic the Hedgehog’s third installment in the beloved franchise is a huge success at the box office. With all three movies in the series raking in a total of $1 billion worldwide! And part of this would not be possible without the heart and sweetness provided by franchise mainstay Tika Sumpter, who plays Maddie in the film. We were recently invited to a wonderful roundtable, where we were able to chat with Sumpter about the latest installment in the franchise, and Maddie’s evolution!
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Sumpter has done stellar work in the past, in films like Ride Along, and even heartfelt vocal
performances in the cult hit, Final Space. However, her role as Maddie (the “Pretzel Lady” to James
Marsden’s Tom, aka “Donut Lord”) has showcased some of the most tender moments in her career,
playing a surrogate mother to three overjoyed and speedy children like Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. The
franchise just simply would not persist without her heart. Therefore speaking to her about what it’s like
to play that parental figure, and how she feels about the franchise and her character evolving to bigger
and better places, was a real treat.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 brings our favorite super powered Green Hill Zone critters back in action with the
emergence of a new threat in Shadow the Hedgehog (played by the incredible Keanu Reeves). With
unlimited power, but without the kindness and love Sonic and his family received from Tom and
Maddie, Shadow proves to be a formidable opponent for Team Sonic. Hence why it’s all the more
important for human characters like Sumpter’s to exist for these characters. However, it’ll take more
than family to stop Shadow, meaning Team Sonic may also have to make some uneasy alliances with the
nefarious Dr. Robotniks (Jim Carry playing a father and son duo for this one) to once again save the
world!
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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is in theaters and available to buy or rent 3on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on April 15