It says a lot about the state of video game movie adaptations that we’re getting excited about one coming out later this year. Typically, gamers and movie fans are skeptical about any that come out until the premiere date. However, things are a bit different with the upcoming Sonic The Hedgehog 3. After all, Jeff Fowler and his team have worked hard to craft not one but two hit movies starring the “blue blur” and his allies, so it makes sense that they’re going to rock it with the third one now that they have their “feet wet.”
To that end, we know that Sonic The Hedgehog 3 will feature Shadow The Hedgehog, and a rumor wave hit the internet last week that none other than Keanu Reeves will voice him. That has NOT been confirmed by anyone attached to the movie, so keep that in the “it could happen” part of your brain. However, something that we know WILL happen is seeing the movie reference Sonic Adventure 2. You know, the game that debuted Shadow and much of his backstory? This came from an interview with GameRadar+, where producer Toby Ascher said the following:
“It’s going to be this giant, fun, incredible movie that obviously takes a lot from Sonic Adventure 2 and some of the games that I know the core Sonic Team grew up loving.”
For those who don’t know, the game they’re referencing wasn’t just Shadow’s debut; it marked a key shift in Sonic lore for various reasons. Specifically, the Dreamcast title let them dive deeper into the universe’s story and its characters. The original titles with Sonic were more about gameplay than anything else, whereas the Dreamcast and subsequent titles on PS2 and other platforms had more stories around them.
To that end, Shadow the Hedgehog has one of the more complex and sad backstories you’ll find in gaming. He was created to be the “ultimate lifeform” and also to cure a terrible disease that was affecting his creator’s daughter, Maria. Things go terribly wrong, and Shadow’s memories are suppressed, leading to him fighting Sonic for a while before he learns the truth about what happened to him and Maria.
There are also giant monster fights in that game, which could be the “climactic ending” that the movie has. Only time will tell on that front, but considering all that’s already happened, it’ll be interesting to see what elements they “borrow” from the game and turn into live-action.
