Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is set to be released on December 20, 2024, and it seems that the film's production will not be delayed. A recent update reveals that filming for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will begin in London on August 31, 2023. This suggests that the movie is still on schedule and unlikely to experience significant delays, despite the ongoing writers strike.
What To Expect From Sonic The Hedgehog 3
In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the live-action film series is set to introduce Shadow the Hedgehog. The post-credits scene in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 revealed G.U.N soldiers uncovering secret archives related to Project Shadow, along with the appearance of a live-action version of Shadow in the final scene. In the video games, Shadow's background is connected to Dr. Eggman's grandfather, Gerald Robotnik, who created Shadow in an attempt to cure his granddaughter, Maria, from a fatal illness.
The inclusion of Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 breaks away from the traditional approach of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies aligning with the video game series. In the first film, Sonic was the only non-human character, while the second film drew inspiration from the second and third games, as well as Sonic & Knuckles, to construct its narrative. Following this pattern, the next movie would have likely focused on Sonic CD or Sonic Adventure. However, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is expected to heavily draw from Sonic Adventure 2, implying the potential for numerous unexpected events.
Shadow's inclusion as the antagonist in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 could potentially bring a darker tone to the usually family-friendly and comedic film series. In the games, Shadow's backstory revolves around the tragic death of Maria, which is a significant aspect of his character development. Adapting this event into a PG-rated movie will require sensitivity, but it will also necessitate a shift towards a more somber atmosphere. It will be intriguing to see how Sonic the Hedgehog 3 introduces Shadow and whether the film will maintain its scheduled release date in December 2024.