Paramount Pictures has released the newest trailer for Sonic The Hedgehog 3. The third installment of the live-action adaptation of the video game of the same name sees the return of the title character (Ben Schwartz) embarking on his greatest adventure yet while also confronting his most dangerous adversary.
The Sonic film franchise has been commercially successful as of late, and followed the pretty basic arc structure introducing fan favorite characters like Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey). In fact, the two films were such hits, it even spawned a limited series based on Sonic’s rival, Knuckles (Idris Elba). And in a day and age where adaptations of video games can be hit or miss, some of the newer releases like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” “The Last of Us” and “Fallout” have proven to be hits.
Now that the Sonic franchise has entered its third film in the trilogy, Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow (Keanu Reeves), 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.
Yes, Reeves is officially joining the franchise as a tragic villain of sorts who is set out to carry out a mission of revenge against those who wronged him. The trailer hints that Shadow’s story is very much like Sonic’s origins, but lacked family and friends which turned him into the anthesis that we will see in the film. So it should be interesting to see how the story will resolve itself. If anything, the film is sure to have some exciting speed sequences. Plus there’s Shadow using a motorcycle that bares a resemblance to what we’ve seen in Akira.
The Sonic films don’t really adapt from any of the previous games, they all utilize key elements and reenvision characters like Dr. Robotnik to fit into the world they’ve created.
Jeff Fowler directs, using a script written by Pat Casey & Josh Miller and John Whittington. The film also stars Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub, newcomers Alyla Browne and Krysten Ritter.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 opens in theaters on December 20, 2024.
