Sonic 3 Casts Keanu Reeves As Shadow The Hedgehog After 2 Years Of Rumors

Summary

• Two years of speculation end as Keanu Reeves joins
  Sonic the Hedgehog 3
  as Shadow, bringing new excitement to the cast.
• Shadow’s arrival will shake things up for Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles as they face their new adversary in the upcoming sequel.
• Jim Carrey’s return as Dr. Robotnik and the introduction of Shadow add more anticipation to the already highly anticipated movie.

After two years of speculations for who would voice the character, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has found its Shadow. Talks have swirled over who would bring the iconic video game character to life for the threequel, with everyone from Keanu Reeves to Hayden Christensen speculated as landing the part. Even original game actor Jason Griffith was considered by some as a viable choice given Sonic the Hedgehog 2 cast Colleen O’Shaughnessey to reprise her role as Tails, continuing on in both the next movie and the Knuckles spinoff show.

The Hollywood Reporter has brought word that Keanu Reeves has joined the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 cast as Shadow. Rumors had been ongoing about who would play the iconic hedgehog in the two years since the previous sequel released and introduced him in the mid-credits. The news also comes on the heels of the first footage of the movie being shown at CinemaCon, which showed Jim Carrey’s return as Dr. Robotnik and teased Shadow’s introduction to Sonic, Tails and Knuckles.

Reeves’ Shadow Casting Is Perfect For Sonic 3

Given Reeves was already one name considered by many to play Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the casting announcement is sure to come as an exciting update for the threequel. More than just banking on Reeves’ longstanding popularity with the likes of the Matrix and John Wick franchises, however, his casting as the antihero hedgehog continues one of the best trends set up by its predecessor with Idris Elba as Knuckles.

The echidna’s appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was a knowingly hilarious goofball take on the character, much like Dave Bautista’s work as Drax in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Reeves is not only skilled in the world of dramatic storytelling, but also in more humorous roles, including his self-aware cameo as himself in the 2019 rom-com Always Be My Maybe. In particular, his role as Batman in the animated DC League of Super-Pets serves as the perfect template for playing Shadow in the upcoming threequel.

Much like the Dark Knight, Shadow has an infamous reputation for his dark and brooding characterization, which some have appreciated, while others have found to be a bit too extreme. Heading into Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Reeves and the creatives behind the movie could take a similarly self-aware approach to the character as League of Super-Pets and Knuckles, blending a nice sense of humor throughout while also staying true to the characters longtime fans know and love.

The first two Sonic the Hedgehog movies are available to stream on Paramount+.

Source: THR