Matrix star Keanu Reeves is confirmed to be voicing Shadow in the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film.
Shadow the Hedgehog, aka the ultimate life form, made his initial appearance in cinema with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the live-action Paramount movies. He only appeared in the post-credits scene in which he awakens from cryostasis. This suggests a plot in the vein of Sonic Adventure 2, the original game in which he debuted.
Reeves has been the target of this role by fans for a good while, but The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed with its own sources that he will be portraying the character when the film premieres on December 20.
Based on descriptions from the recent Cinemacon trailer, Dr. Eggman (Jim Carrey) is retrieving the black crimson hedgehog from prison just like in the game. Given that the film will also feature Maria Robotnik, a key character in Shadow’s history, it seems that most if not all of the film will be based on the 2001 Dreamcast classic. Still, certain other aspects of his character, including his use of motorcycles featured in the 2005 game named after him, will also be part of the movie.
Before the premiere of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in December, Paramount+ is also launching a live-action Knuckles series that serves as a bridge for the two films. This is part of an effort to develop an MCU-like universe for the Sonic franchise.
