2022 got off to a roaring start for Paramount Pictures when they launched Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which swiftly became one of the year's biggest success stories, ultimately grossing over $402.2 million at the worldwide box office.
With the blockbuster film now available on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, the studio has officially dated its hotly-awaited sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, for a December 20, 2024 release.
Further details remain under wraps, but the film will formally introduce Shadow the Hedgehog to the live-action franchise and is expected to adapt story elements from the Sonic Adventure 2 and Shadow the Hedgehog video games, meaning more familiar charaters may also show up.
Jeff Fowler will be back in the director's chair, with Ben Schwartz (Sonic the Hedgehog), Colleen O'Shaughnessey (Miles "Tails" Prower), Idris Elba (Knuckles the Echidna), James Marsden (Tom Wachowski), and Tika Sumpter (Maddie Wachowski) all expected to reprise their roles from the previous installments.
Jim Carrey announced his retirement from acting earlier this year, so it's uncertain whether he'll return as Dr. Robotnik, but either way, it's been confirmed that the role will not be recast under any circumstance, which is welcome news.
No word on who will voice Shadow, but John Wick star Keanu Reeves has emerged as an early fan-favorite casting choice.
Luckily, fans won't have to wait until 2024 to return to the Sonic movie universe as a Knuckles series is also currently being developed for Paramount+ and is expected to launch in 2023, presumably bridging the gap between the two theatrical films.