Jim Carrey has detailed the challenges of playing both Ivo and Gerald Robotnik in cast of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, where he'll be teaming up with Gerald and Shadow the Hedgehog (Keanu Reeves) in a world-conquering quest. The introduction of the elder Robotnik sees Carrey playing both roles, though it's unclear just how different the grandson and grandfather are going to be.

Speaking with ScreenRant, Carrey explained how "Gerald's a little bit of a tougher generation than Ivo," a core difference between both characters in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Comparing his dual roles to Eddie Murphy's The Nutty Professor, he explained how actor Brendan Murphy was a stand-in for him throughout production, the pair switching between their roles as they played out different scenes. They had to coordinate so Carrey could accurately portray his other character in different scenarios, sometimes with audio of him as one Robotnik playing while he portrayed another. Check out what Carrey had to say below:

It's a very technically difficult thing to do. First of all, you've got to start with the personalities. You've got to start with the fact that Gerald's a little bit of a tougher generation than Ivo, and Ivo just gets all gooey when he finds out he has a grandfather. And Gerald is the rock that he crawled out from under. But they're a little bit different in their kind of aims. They're just a little bit different, and we find out why.

The physical act of performing in the same scene with yourself, I don't know how Eddie did it, because it was really something. It was very difficult, and I had a wonderful actor named Brendan Murphy who jumped in with me, and he did the other part. So, I would do Robotnik and he would do Gerald, and I would do Gerald and he'd do Robotnik, and I'd be sitting there as Robotnik performing and telling him how I may eventually do that side of the character. And then when I was that side of the character, I'd be reminding him of how I maybe did that side of the character. So, it was very technically difficult. A lot of times I was acting with him, but I was reacting to a disembodied voice that I had done the day before coming from the ceiling somewhere. So, it's a trick. Acting these days, it's a lot of imagination and a lot of pantomime.

What Carrey's Statement Says About His Two Roles In Sonic The Hedgehog 3

Ivo & Gerald Won't Feel Like The Same Character

Carrey's comment indicates there will be some core differences between Ivo and Gerald, something that will be fully revealed as the story of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 unfolds. The elder Robotnik appears to be on a quest for revenge alongside Shadow, something he later recruits his grandson for when revealing himself to still be alive. It seems whatever plans he has will rely on the two working together, but that their character differences won't always mean they see eye-to-eye. Just how different they are won't be fully revealed until the movie comes out.

As for Carrey's performance, his details are reminiscent of Murphy's The Nutty Professor, where he played seven different characters, many of whom played off one another in various scenes. The use of workarounds like another actor being present and hearing dialogue over a loudspeaker seemed to assist in making the character interactions appear more natural, even while coming from the same actor. Since Gerald Robotnik's character is going to include some key differences from his grandson, the two roles are likely going to feel different despite coming from one person.

Our Take On How Carrey Portrayed Both Robotniks In Sonic The Hedgehog 3

His Statement Teases Plenty Of Depth To Both Performances

Carrey's statement shows just how dedicated he is to bringing both villainous doctors to life, potentially with very key differences between the pair. While Gerald's characterization hasn't been fully explored yet, we believe there will be some major contrasts for the grandfather-grandson duo that will keep them from feeling like the same person. With Sonic the Hedgehog 3 just one week away, it won't be long before those differences, and the hard work going into the star's portrayals, will be evident on the big screen.

Carrey has additionally expressed interest in returning for a follow-up movie if Robotnik's role feels right.