Shadow strikes as the Sonic franchise races to new heights.

Paramount Pictures recently unveiled the first official trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, giving fans an enticing glimpse into the film’s narrative. With its highly anticipated release date just months away, excitement is building as the franchise continues to expand the vibrant world of Sonic, introducing fan-favourite characters from the video games to the big screen. The latest installment introduces Keanu Reeves as Shadow, a dark and edgy anti-hero who first appeared in 2001's Sonic Adventure 2 video game. Shadow’s complex persona and similar abilities to Sonic add a fresh, dynamic layer to the upcoming film.

Director Jeff Fowler, a key figure in the Sonic cinematic universe, recently reflected on the journey of bringing Shadow to life on the big screen. Fowler, who started his career animating Shadow for his first standalone SEGA video game, shared his excitement on social media, stating, “One of my first jobs in the VFX industry was animating this amazing character for his first SEGA standalone video game. Twenty years later, I could not feel more honoured to bring Shadow to the big screen in Sonic 3.” This project marks a full-circle moment for Fowler, as his early work in gaming has paved the way for this highly anticipated movie debut.

Producer Toby Ascher has described Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as "the most exciting thing we’ve done in the franchise." The movie drawing heavily from Sonic Adventure 2, a game cherished by Sonic fans, ensuring the film feels familiar yet fresh for longtime followers and new viewers alike.

The Sonic franchise has firmly established itself as a box-office powerhouse, with the first film grossing $319 million globally. Its sequel saw even greater success, with global earnings of $404 million. With Sonic the Hedgehog 3 slated for a Boxing Day release, the film is forecasted to smash further records, solidifying Sonic’s place as a beloved cinematic icon.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will speed into cinemas on December 26.