the Sonic family grows with every new film.

While 2022's Sonic 2 sequel saw the hero team up with his friend Tails (Colleen O'Shaughnessey) against Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) and his new sidekick Knuckles (Idris Elba), who became an ally and even got his own series spin-off, Sonic 3 introduces a new and potentially even more powerful antagonist. Shadow is voiced by Keanu Reeves, and he represents a threat unlike any ever before faced by Sonic's allies.

ScreenRant attended Sonic 3 and had the opportunity to interview director Jeff Fowler and several of the franchise stars on the red carpet. They each shared their favorite vice food and preferred ring portal location, as well as some of their favorite memories on set.

Tika Sumpter Reflects On Her Chemistry With James Marsden In Sonic Movies

“I'm just grateful we built this family with a lot of heart.”

ScreenRant: I love seeing you and James together. Talk to me about working with him over these three films and your chemistry together.

Tika Sumpter: Oh, my gosh. He's one of my favorite people in the world, and we actually enjoy hanging out outside of work. That's why you see the chemistry onscreen, and I'm just grateful we built this family with a lot of heart.

ScreenRant: Your characters have taught Sonic so much, but what have you learned from your journey working on these three films?

Tika Sumpter: Follow your heart and trust your gut. Family is meant to be there when you need them. And when you get in trouble, tell the truth.

ScreenRant: We're introduced to Shadow, played by Keanu Reeves, in this film. What can we expect from Shadow?

Tika Sumpter: Oh, he is the biggest adversary and the biggest challenge for Sonic. He's more powerful than a lot of them, so Sonic's going to need a lot of help.

ScreenRant: Sonic loves chili dogs, Tails loves mint candy, Knuckles loves grapes, and Shadow loves Doritos and Hot Pockets. What is your vice food?

Tika Sumpter: Oh, my God. Salt and pepper potato chips. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

ScreenRant: If you could have a ring portal to teleport you anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Tika Sumpter: The Maldives, because it's warm. I like to swim in very shallow water, and I like good food.

Source: Screen Rant Plus

Sonic 3 Director Praises Keanu Reeves’ Shadow & Addresses Spin-Off Series Potential

“When it became official that he was playing the character, you could not ask for a more dream casting.”

ScreenRant: You brought back the incredible cast from the Sonic franchise and even added a few new faces for Sonic 3. Can you talk about casting Keanu Reeves as Shadow and what he brings to the role?

Jeff Fowler: Oh, just the opportunity of a lifetime, I feel like, for him to say yes and for him to agree to come and our Sonic family. He was just perfect, as I feel like every fan in the world agrees. It was just the energy, the excitement, the enthusiasm - and then when it became official that he was playing the character, you could not ask for a more dream casting.

ScreenRant: After Sonic 2, we got a Knuckles spinoff. What are the chances we get a Shadow spinoff?

Jeff Fowler: I mean, right now, we're just loving that we're here. We're about to share this movie with the world. We're so proud of it. It's huge. I think fans are going to love it, and then we'll go from there.

ScreenRant: You got Jim Carrey playing two roles in this film. Talk to me about working with Jim on this film.

Jeff Fowler: It's just the best. I can't believe it. If I went back in time to the high school version of me and said, "You're not going to make just one movie with Jim Carrey, you're going to make three," I wouldn't even know what to say. The fact that he came back, worked twice as hard, and gave us a whole new character in Gerald Robotnik? It's unbelievable. It's extraordinary.

ScreenRant: Sonic loves chili dogs, Tails loves mint candy, Knuckles loves grapes, and Shadow loves Doritos and Hot Pockets. What is your vice food?

Jeff Fowler: My go-to is just a nice giant plate of pancakes with my 5-year-old in the morning. That's in my little corner of heaven.

ScreenRant: If you could have a ring portal to teleport you anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Jeff Fowler: Right here. Honestly, this is the best place to be. I mean, look at this. This is an incredible premiere. I'm so excited. This is the place to be. I would go nowhere else.

Source: Screen Rant Plus

Idris Elba Reacts To The Idea Of A Cyberpunk Movie With Keanu Reeves After Sonic 3

“Let's speak that into existence.”

ScreenRant: We love Knuckles. He is fantastic. Talk to me about his interactions with Shadow in this film.

Idris Elba: They're frosty. They're frosty. The interactions are not what we need in the beginning, but towards the end of the film, things change.

ScreenRant: Sonic loves chili dogs, Tails loves mint candy, Knuckles loves grapes, and Shadow loves Doritos and Hot Pockets. What is your vice food?

Idris Elba: My vice food is iceberg lettuce. You sound surprised, but you eat lettuce? You stay shredded.

ScreenRant: You and Keanu are both voicing characters in Sonic 3, but this isn't the only video game franchise you guys voice. You guys also voice characters in Cyberpunk. What are the chances you guys would bring that to live-action?

Idris Elba: Oh, man, that's a great question. I think if any film could do a live-action rendition, it could be that, and I think his character and my character together would be, "Whoa". So, let's speak that into existence.

ScreenRant: If you could have a ring portal to teleport you anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Idris Elba: Jamaica. That's where I'm going.

Source: Screen Rant Plus

Jim Carrey Is The Opposite Of His Sonic Character(s), According To Lee Majdoub

“His generosity with me has been incredible.”

ScreenRant: This is the third installment of Sonic. Talk to me about how Stone's relationship with Dr. Robotnik has evolved.

Lee Majdoub: Oh, man. It's definitely moved forward. Stone gets a lot more to do this time around. He's been yearning for it, so he finally gets a shot. I think we see how much the Doctor really relies on Stone in this one, and there are way more stakes for everybody. It's really cool.

ScreenRant: You get to work with Jim in all three of these movies. What has impressed you the most about working with the man in person?

Lee Majdoub: That's a tough question. You can't ask me stuff like that, man. What hasn't impressed me? He's such a consummate professional. His attention to detail and his generosity with me has been incredible. They always say, "Don't meet your heroes," but that's definitely not the case with Jim. Generous, always thoughtful, always thinking about ways that we could evolve the relationship and get more screen time together.

ScreenRant: This is our introduction to Shadow. Longtime fans have been waiting for him, and Keanu Reeves is voicing him. What can fans expect from Shadow?

Lee Majdoub: I when I first heard Keanu's voice as Shadow when we were on set. Incredible, man. He's got so much gravitas. There's some pain there too, which is so instrumental to Shadow. Darkness, vengeance. He's so strong. I definitely think Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles have met their match.

Source: Screen Rant Plus

Colleen O'Shaughnessey Discusses Tails’ Place In The Sonic Family

“I think he's building his confidence. He feels more like he belongs there now.”

ScreenRant: Congratulations on Sonic 3. We love you in the franchise, and Tales is one of our favorites. How has Tales and Sonic's relationship evolved in the third film?

Colleen O'Shaughnessey: They're so much closer now. I think he feels like he's a hundred percent part of the team, but also part of the family. It's just been such a beautiful relationship that's been building and building, and it's just so much fun. But yeah, I think he's building his confidence. He feels more like he belongs there now.

ScreenRant: What can we expect from Shadow and his interactions with Tails?

Colleen O'Shaughnessey: Well, he immediately kicks him in the stomach, so that's pretty on par for their history. I don't want to spoil anything, but I think Shadow comes to respect the team. I think he does. Maybe in the end, we'll see. But I think who doesn't love Tails? I think Tails will win you over no matter what.

Source: Screen Rant Plus

Krysten Ritter Has High Praise For Jim Carrey In Sonic 3

“It was just a highlight of my life.”

ScreenRant: I'm a huge fan of your work, but tell us a little bit about your character in Sonic 3.

Krysten Ritter: I played Director Rockwell. I'm in the GUN agency. I am very badass and no-nonsense, and it was a lot of fun.

ScreenRant: Jim Carey plays two roles in this and is absolutely incredible. Could you talk to me about working with him on set?

Krysten Ritter: Oh, my God. The first day that I was on set when he was there, our chairs were next to each other, and I was like, "Well, surely he's not going to sit there." But he did, and we spent many days together onscreen and off. It was one of the highlights of my life.

ScreenRant: I'm a big fan of Jessica Jones, and we know that Charlie's coming back as Daredevil. Has there been any movement about you coming back as Jessica Jones?

Krysten Ritter: There's nothing I can really say there, but I love her. It'd be such a dream to play that character again.

ScreenRant: What was your most memorable moment on set for Sonic 3?

Krysten Ritter: Working with Jim Carrey, and watching him process; spending time with him on a personal level. It was just a highlight of my life.

Source: Screen Rant Plus

More About Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.

Check out our other Sonic the Hedgehog 3 interviews here:

• Ben Schwartz
• Jim Carrey
• James Marsden & Tika Sumpter
• Jeff Fowler
• Lee Majdoub
• Colleen O'Shaughnessey & Krysten Ritter

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is now playing in theaters.