Fans excited for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 got a nice little tease today. Jeff Fowler, director of both 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog and 2022’s Sonic the Hedgehog 2, published a tweet today teasing the emergence of one of the blue blur’s most iconic villains, Shadow the Hedgehog in next year’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
The point of the tweet was twofold. Fowler shared an image teasing the lower half of Sonic’s genetically engineered rival, but also confirmed that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was “off and running” with development.
Shadow the Hedgehog was revealed as a tease during the conclusion of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. While his team was searching for Dr. Robotnik, G.U.N. Commander Walters was informed that a 50-year-old file was found that contained coordinates to a secret site hosting something called “Project: Shadow”. We then see the black hedgehog open his angry eyes within a containment cell. The background of the image Fowler posted today looks to be that very same site.
Shadow the Hedgehog originally debuted as a foil to Sonic in the Sega Dreamcast’s Sonic Adventure 2. Due to the character’s popularity, he became a series mainstay, acting as an anti-hero of sorts who strives to do good but by any means necessary.
Fowler also confirmed today that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is on track for release in December of 2024. However, that won’t be the next time you’re able to jump back into this live-action Sonic world. Paramount confirmed in February 2022 that a live-action Knuckles series was in the works with Iris Elba returning. The studio also teased that they were planning to expand the Sonic live-action universe with several other projects as well.
The Knuckles live-action series is slated to arrive on Paramount+ early next year. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 races to theaters on December 20.
