Warning! Spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ahead!
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 included a handful of moments to set up Sonic the Hedgehog 4. Overall, the future of this live-action franchise looks bright, as the 2024 movie effectively carried Team Sonic’s story forward. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 had a happy and satisfying ending, but the two post-credit scenes planted the seeds of another sequel, both teasing that some assumed deceased characters are still alive and setting up new allies and villains alike. Add in the subtle references of more stories to tell in Sonic 3, and there is certainly a lot to look forward to in another sequel.
The most recent live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movie hit theaters on December 20, 2024, joining the previous two feature films and the Paramount+ spinoff series, Knuckles. Almost immediately after Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s release, Paramount announced that a fourth movie is already in the works, expected to hit theaters sometime in 2027. Of course, given the events of Sonic 3, this is no huge surprise. The live-action franchise is thriving, and the most recent installment did a spectacular job planting more seeds for the confirmed Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
6
Dr. Robotnik’s Death (Again)
Robotnik Returned Once – He Can Do It Again
Close
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the second movie in the live-action franchise that ends with Dr. Robotnik’s presumed death. Back in Sonic 2, it was assumed that the evil villain was killed when his robot came crashing down around him after Sonic used the Master Emerald. However, Doctor Eggman rejoined the fight in Sonic 3, at first teaming up with his rival hedgehog before turning on him to join his evil grandfather, Gerald Robotnik (also played by Jim Carrey).
Of course, Gerald ended up being up to no good, and Dr. Robotnik didn’t fancy dying along with the rest of the world. His goal has typically been to rule over Earth, and his grandfather’s plan to destroy everything and everyone didn’t quite align with that. So, Carrey’s Sonic the Hedgehog villain sacrificed his life to save the planet. It was a fun twist for his character, but it means that, once again, Team Sonic believes that they have seen the last of Dr. Robotnik/Eggman.
Since Eggman is the overarching villain of the Sonic franchise, it’s doubtful that he is actually dead—or, at least, that he is gone for good. Instead, his sacrifice at the end of Sonic 3 only further sets up the events of Sonic 4. There are several times in the Sonic video games or anime that Doctor Eggman faked his own death or found bizarre ways to return, and the same can surely be expected to happen in Sonic 4.
5
The Return Of Shadow
Shadow Is Ready To Make A Comeback As Well
Close
While Dr. Robotnik’s return is assumed but not confirmed, Shadow’s death at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a different story. Keanu Reeves joining up with the cast of the live-action Sonic franchise was certainly exciting news, especially since Shadow was the perfect character for the actor. However, Sonic 3 saw Shadow the Hedgehog sacrifice himself to reverse his and Gerald Robotnik’s plan to destroy the Earth. Sonic’s decision to turn away from vengeance inspired the new Sonic villain, but it seemed, for a moment, that this heroism would be his last action.
However, the post-credits scene in Shadow the Hedgehog definitively proved that Shadow isn’t dead. He was seen walking up to a crater and grabbing one of his Inhibitor Rings, which stifle his power to prevent dangerous consequences. He had taken them off before pushing Gerald Robotnik’s Earth-destroying weapon out of the way. The fact that he is alive and well enough to reclaim these rings hints that he will return for Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
The fact that he is alive and well enough to reclaim these rings hints that he will return for Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
This is a relief but not a surprise. It would be quite a shock if Paramount brought in Reeves to voice this iconic Sonic the Hedgehog character, only to kill him off after a single movie. The curious thing here is what Shadow will do next. Now that he has let go of his desire to get revenge following Maria’s death, his path is somewhat unclear. Of course, deciding not to destroy the world doesn’t necessarily mean that Shadow will be cooperative with GUN. This dark hedgehog will surely be at the center of further conflicts to come in Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
4
Amy Rose Joined The Fight
Sonic 3’s Post-Credits Scene Introduced Amy Rose
Close
Shadow’s return was only one of the post-credits scenes in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The other saw Sonic taking part in another family race through the woods, only to find himself much further from home than he had initially intended. This is when he was suddenly attacked by a league of new (but familiar) villains (more on this later), and it seemed for a moment that Sonic would be overpowered. In just the nick of time, a hooded figure carrying a rather intense hammer appeared. This was, of course, Amy Rose, another hedgehog from the Sonic franchise.
The live-action Sonic movies have slowly added more and more of the traditional characters from the video games and anime, beginning with Knuckles and Tails in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Now, it seems that Amy Rose is next. Amy first joined the video game franchise with 1993’s Sonic CD and became a playable character in 1998’s Sonic Adventure. She possesses similar speed abilities as Sonic. And wields a powerful hammer that assists her in battle. Additionally, Amy tends to have a massive crush on Sonic.
The Sonic the Hedgehog 3 post-credit scene demonstrates how capable Amy Rose is with her hammer, hinting that she will continue to be an asset to Team Sonic going into Sonic the Hedgehog 4. Amy and Sonic don’t exchange words in their quick scene together, so the upcoming installment will surely explore their friendship going forward.
3
Sonic Vs. Metal Sonic
Sonic 3’s Ending Brought In Another Iconic Villain
Close
Metal Sonic is another massive reveal of Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s first post-credits scene. After Sonic believed that he had won the family race, he suddenly found himself surrounded by dozens of robots, each of which looked like a metal version of him. Naturally, this first inspired a handful of jokes from Sonic, but it quickly became clear that these robots were too much for him to handle alone. This is when Amy Rose jumped in and helped save the day, but the implication here is that this won’t be the end of these Metal Sonics.
The ending of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 didn’t reveal where this army of Metal Sonics came from, so this is sure to be a leading mystery at the start of Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
Metal Sonic is typically considered Sonic’s most powerful adversary in the Sonic universe, and he is canonically a creation of Dr. Robotnik—another clue that Carrey’s Eggman isn’t dead after all. The ending of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 didn’t reveal where this army of Metal Sonics came from, so this is sure to be a leading mystery at the start of Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Metal Sonic debuting in the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog franchise at the same time as Amy Rose is another intriguing aspect of this post-credits scene. Like Amy, this villain first appeared in the video game Sonic CD. Metal Sonic kidnapped Amy, and Sonic and his pals were tasked with rescuing her. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 bringing in these characters at the same time may be a hint that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will take inspiration from the 1993 video game.
2
The Chao Cafe
Chaos Are Officially Part Of The Live-Action Franchise
Close
Long before Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s post-credits scenes, there was another potential setup for a future sequel. After landing in Japan to confront Shadow, Team Sonic sat down for a meal at a Chao Cafe. Adorably decorated with people in Chao costumes, this cafe was another reference to the Sonic universe. Chao are pixie-like beings that pop up frequently in the Sonic games, having first appeared in Sonic Adventure (the first game in which Amy Rose was a playable character). Though they are sometimes adorable companions, they connect intimately with essential plot points.
There was never any real Chao in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, only people in costumes and images decorating the cafe’s walls. However, the live-action franchise’s reference to these beings is intriguing, especially considering that the Master Emerald was hidden away on Earth in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. In canon, the Chao were initially led by a deity called Chaos, guardian of the Chaos Emeralds. Following an attack from the Echidna tribe, Chaos was sealed away in the Master Emerald.
It’s difficult to say how this all fits in with the live-action Sonic franchise’s version of canon. However, the fact that both the Master Emerald and the adorable Chaos have been features of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies implies that this could all come into play. Perhaps Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will reveal where the inspiration for the Chao Cafe in Japan came from—there may even be a colony of real Chao hidden away on Earth somewhere, aimless without their leader.
1
The Return Of The Master Emerald
The Master Emerald Will Surely Continue To Be Key
Close
The Master Emerald was introduced in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 as the primary objective of Kunckles the Echidna and Dr. Robotnik. It was ultimately revealed that Sonic could use the Master Emerald to become Super Sonic, but this is a power the gang decided was too much ever to be safely wielded again. Of course, Sonic threw this out the window in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, when he first used the Master Emerald to get revenge on Shadow, then turned around and used its power (along with Super Shadow) to save Earth from Gerald Robotnik’s terrible scheme.
Perhaps Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will see Dr. Robotnik break the Master Emerald open, thus unleashing the villain Chaos.
It’s assumed that the Master Emerald is again hidden away following the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. However, the fact that it was so quickly brought back into play after Team Sonic promised never to use the thing again indicates that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will again feature the Master Emerald. This is further supported by the third Sonic movie’s reference to the Chao, who share a connection with this powerful stone. Perhaps Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will see Dr. Robotnik break the Master Emerald open, thus unleashing the villain Chaos—of course, only time will tell.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is expected to become available to stream on Paramount+ in February 2025.
Your Rating
close
10 stars
9 stars
8 stars
7 stars
6 stars
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List
My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist
Success!
8/10
41
8.8/10
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
PG
ActionAdventureComedy
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the sequel to the 2022 comedy-adventure movie that featured the Blue Blur and his companions on an adventure to stop Dr. Robotnik from taking over the world. The new film sees the new antagonist Shadow the Hedgehog, arriving to cause trouble for the newly formed trio of heroes, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, as they adjust to their earthly lives.
Release Date
December 20, 2024
Runtime
109 Minutes
Main Genre
Adventure
Franchise(s)
Sonic the Hedgehog
Cast
Ben Schwartz
, Colleen O’Shaughnessey
, Idris Elba
, Keanu Reeves
, Tika Sumpter
, Lee Majdoub
, James Marsden
, Jim Carrey
Director
Jeff Fowler
Writers
Pat Casey
, Josh Miller
, John Whittington
Prequel(s)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
, Sonic the Hedgehog
Studio(s)
Sega Sammy Group
, Original Film
, Marza Animation Planet
, Blur Studio
Distributor(s)
Paramount Pictures
Expand