The beloved blue speedster is primed to return in Sonic the Hedgehog 4, and there are already a ton of updates about the video game movie franchise's next installment. Based on the titular character from the Sega gaming universe, the Sonic the Hedgehog movie series follows Sonic and his pals Tails and Knuckles as they try to stop the nefarious plans of Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). In the latest adventure, Sonic and the gang take on two generations of Robotniks and their newest ally, the ultra-powerful Shadow the Hedgehog (voiced by Keanu Reeves) who wants to destroy the entire world.
Upping the ante after two fun and well-received installments, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 got high praise from critics (via Rotten Tomatoes) and marks a more dramatic turn for the franchise. Besides all that, the latest Sonic movie has also introduced fan-favorite Shadow, as well as teased even more exciting characters from the games in its ending. All that adds up to a fourth installment, and work is already underway on bringing the video game classic back to the big screen. While Sonic the Hedgehog 4 might be a ways off, it's already racing into production.
Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Latest News
Sonic 4's Release Window Is Revealed
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A few days before Sonic the Hedgehog 3 even made it to theaters, news broke that the release window for Sonic 4 was revealed. Helping to reconfirm previous reports that a fourth movie was in the works, it has now been announced that the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will land in theaters during the spring of 2027. This makes for a wait of little over two years, but it actually follows the franchise release pattern. There has been a two-year gap between every sequel thus far, starting with the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in 2022 (two years after the 2020 release of the first Sonic movie).
By scheduling the movie for spring 2027, Paramount is throwing their hat into the ring with some very stiff competition. While everything is subject to change more than two years removed, the next installment of the Godzilla and Kong franchise is also slated for spring 2027 (March 26 to be specific). Likewise, Marvel's Avengers: Secret Wars is also scheduled for May 7, 2027, so there are already a few heavy hitters arriving at that time of year. However, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has the opportunity to cater to a different audience, so the aforementioned blockbusters might not be a threat.
Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Is Confirmed
The Sequel Was Confirmed In 2024
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Just days before the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Paramount made their franchise plans clear when they green-lit another movie. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is not only confirmed, but it has already been given a tentative release window of spring 2027. This news not only suggests that the movie was already being developed before the announcement, but that Paramount likely has a larger masterplan in mind that involves more Sonic the Hedgehog content. With a production timeline almost identical to the previous sequels, there's no reason to think that Sonic 4 won't arrive on time.
Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Cast Details
Will Sonic, Tails, Knuckles & Shadow Return?
With each new installment in the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise, the cast of lovable characters has expanded to include more and more fan-favorites from the games. This trend is expected to continue going into Sonic the Hedgehog 4, and Sonic 3's ending even introduced a few newcomers that are certain to return. Other returns include those of Ben Schwartz as Sonic, Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Tails, and Idris Elba as Knuckles, and the core trio grew even stronger after the events of the third movie.
Amy Rose is a major character from the video games who makes a surprise appearance in the post-credits scene of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to save Sonic.
The post-credits scene in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 revealed that Shadow survived the Eclipse Cannon, meaning Keanu Reeves could be back. It's uncertain if Jim Carrey will return to play Dr. Ivo Robotnik in the next movie, both because his character seemingly didn't survive, and because Carrey came out of retirement to star in Sonic 3. Human characters Tom Wachowski (played by James Marsden), and Maddie Wachowski (Tika Sumpter) will also likely return to assist their superpowered friends. Metal Sonic and Amy Rose will both probably be back in Sonic 4, but their roles haven't been cast yet.
Metal Sonic and Amy Rose make non-speaking cameos in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, but were most recently voiced in the games by Ray Chase and Cindy Robinson, respectively.
The cast of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will likely include:
Actor
Sonic the Hedgehog Role
Ben Schwartz
Sonic
Colleen O'Shaughnessey
Tails
Idris Elba
Knuckles
Keanu Reeves
Shadow
James Marsden
Tom Wachowski
Tika Sumpter
Maddie Wachowski
Unknown
Metal Sonic
Unknown
Amy Rose
Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Story Details
A New Villain & A New Ally
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The ending of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was unsurprisingly inconclusive, and besides wrapping up a few storylines, mostly served to establish the conflict in Sonic 4. Dr. Ivo Robotnik and Shadow turned on the much more evil Dr. Gerald Robotnik, and saved the Earth from the Eclipse Canon. Unfortunately, it seemingly cost them both their lives in the process. While Shadow was revealed to have survived, Dr. Robotnik's fate was left inconclusive. This could have repercussions in the sequel as Sonic and the team grapple with the fallout of losing their longtime enemy-turned-ally.
The most logical approach to Sonic the Hedgehog 4 would be to have Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy Rose, and perhaps even Shadow, fight off the robotic impersonators while trying to discover who created them in the first place.
However, they might not get much time to think about that as the mid-credits sequence introduced an army of robotic Sonics, and he was only saved by the intervention of Amy Rose and her hammer. The most logical approach to Sonic the Hedgehog 4 would be to have Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy Rose, and perhaps even Shadow, fight off the robotic impersonators while trying to discover who created them in the first place.
The introduction of Amy Rose could introduce some conflict into the group as well, and the trio of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles might find their delicate balance thrown off by the arrival of a fourth member. Based on Amy Rose from the games, she might also develop a crush on Sonic, which could further complicate their world-saving dynamic. The Wachowskis will fit into the mix somehow as well, and with Tom recovered from the events of Sonic 3, he might be less eager to get involved in Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Sonic The Hedgehog 4, directed by Jeff Fowler and Buzz Dickie, is the fourth installment in the Sonic the Hedgehog movie series. This film continues the adventures of Sonic as he faces new challenges and threats, further exploring his dynamic journey in a vibrant world.
Character(s)
Sonic the Hedgehog
, Tails the Fox
, Knuckles the Echidna
, Doctor Eggman
, Tom Wachowski
, Maddie Wachowski
Custom Image by Dalton Norman
Custom Image by Yailin Chacon
Custom image by Simone Ashmoore
Custom Image by Yailin Chacon
English (US) ·