Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (film)

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is an upcoming action-adventure comedy film based on the video game series published by Sega and the sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022). Directed by Jeff Fowler and written by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington, the film stars James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, and Jim Carrey reprising their roles.
Plans for a third Sonic the Hedgehog film were announced in February 2022 during ViacomCBS's investor event before the release of the second film. Filming for animated characters began in July 2023 in Surrey, England, while filming with physical actors began in November 2023 in London, and was also expected to occur in Los Angeles, Japan, and Norway.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is scheduled to be theatrically released by Paramount Pictures in the United States on December 20, 2024.
== Production ==
=== Development ===
In February 2022, Sega Sammy Group and Paramount Pictures had been in development of a third Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) film after Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022). The film was formally announced during ViacomCBS's investor event, featuring much of the crew from the previous films. A series starring Knuckles the Echidna, who had appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, for Paramount+, was being developed simultaneously with the film.
=== Casting ===
On March 6, 2020, James Marsden confirmed that he had signed on for multiple sequels. In April 2022, Jim Carrey–who portrays Dr. Robotnik in the films–announced that he was considering retiring from acting. With his possible retirement, producers Neal H. Moritz and Toby Ascher confirmed that his role as Robotnik would not be recast in any sequels if he followed through with his retirement plans. However, they remained hopeful that they could develop scripts good enough for him to continue the role. In February 2024, it was officially confirmed that Carrey would be reprising his role for the film, while Krysten Ritter, Alyla Browne, James Wolk, Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernández, and Jorma Taccone were cast in undisclosed roles.
=== Filming ===
Second-unit filming began in late July 2023 for animated characters only without physical actors (due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike) in Farnham, Surrey, England. Principal photography was originally scheduled to begin on August 31, 2023, in London, England, but was delayed to September of that year. Filming was also expected to occur in Los Angeles, Japan, and Norway.
Production with physical actors started on November 29, 2023, announced with a teaser image of Shadow the Hedgehog's stand-in statue used in filming.
=== Music ===
In January 2024, Tom Holkenborg, who also composed for the first two films, was announced to compose the film's score.
== Release ==
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be released theatrically in the United States by Paramount Pictures on December 20, 2024.
== Trivia ==
* The announcement for the movie was likely a pun on Sonic 3 & Knuckles, as it was announced along with a spin-off series titled Knuckles. The Paramount+ Facebook page even responded with a comment about this reference.
* The US release date for this movie, 20 December, is also the same date that Sonic Adventure 2: Battle was released on in Japan, in 2001. It is unknown if this is simply a coincidence, or an intentional choice due to the movie drawing elements from said game.
* The logo of the movie is based on the logo of Sonic Adventure 2.
Category:Upcoming films
Category:2024
Category:December
Category:Sonic the Hedgehog
Category:Sega
Category:Paramount Pictures