Sonic the Hedgehog 3: Keanu Reeves Joins the Cast as Shadow

Paramount Pictures has unveiled the first trailer for "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," introducing one of the blue blur's most iconic adversaries, the formidable Shadow the Hedgehog. The film marks a notable addition to the cast, with Keanu Reeves lending his voice to the enigmatic character. "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" is set to premiere in UK cinemas on 20 December.

The third instalment in the popular franchise, greenlit before the release of the 2022 sequel, delves further into the expansive world of Sega's video game universe. While plot details remain shrouded in secrecy, the post-credits scene of "Sonic 2" hinted at Shadow's arrival.

Returning to the live-action cast are Ben Schwartz as the titular Sonic, Jim Carrey as the villainous Dr. Robotnik, James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski, and Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone. The voices of Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Miles "Tails" Prower and Idris Elba as Knuckles the Echidna also reprise their roles.

Elba's Knuckles recently took centre stage in the Paramount+ spin-off series, "Knuckles," which chronicled the titular character's acclimatisation to life on Earth after his introduction in "Sonic 2." The show also featured Adam Pally as Sheriff Wade Whipple, a character from the first two "Sonic" films, and welcomed cameos from Schwartz and O'Shaughnessey as Sonic and Tails. The miniseries, set between "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" and "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," saw Knuckles "agree to train Wade as his protégé and teach him the ways of the Echidna warrior."

The original "Sonic the Hedgehog" film debuted in UK cinemas in February 2020, followed by its sequel in April 2022. Both films achieved substantial success, earning a combined total of over $724 million at the global box office. Jeff Fowler, director of the first two films, returns for the third instalment.

The trailer offers a glimpse into the high-octane action and comedic elements that fans have come to expect from the "Sonic" franchise. The inclusion of Shadow, a character with a complex past and powerful abilities, promises to deliver an exciting and challenging adversary for Sonic and his allies. With a compelling cast and a captivating storyline, "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" is poised to captivate audiences and solidify its place as a beloved part of popular culture.