Sonic the Hedgehog 3 raced into theaters this weekend, decimating the box office in its wake, and the furry franchise is doing better than ever. This time around, Sonic (Ben Schwartz) and his buddies Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Tails (Colleen O'Shaughnessey) make an unlikely ally out of Dr. Robotnik (played by Jim Carrey despite his retirement from acting) when Shadow (voiced by the fantastic Keanu Reeves) comes to Earth.

The dark counterpart to Sonic is not the only newcomer to the franchise, as Jessica Jones' Krysten Ritter plays Director Rockwell from the Guardian Units of Nations. James Marsden and Tika Sumpter reprise their roles as Tom and Maddie Wachowski, Sonic's adoptive parents, rounding out the full Sonic The Hedgehog family.

ScreenRant interviewed O'Shaughnessey and Ritter about their roles in Sonic The Hedgehog 3, with the former discussing what it was like to welcome Shadow aboard while the latter shared her own experience with being the new kid in town.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Through The Eyes Of A Veteran Vs. A Newbie

“Quiet kids' movies, that's where it's at.”

ScreenRant: First of all, Sonic 3 is amazing. I love this film franchise. This is the perfect movie to sit down and watch with the whole family. Colleen, as someone who's been a part of Sonic's world for years, what excites you the most about Tails and Team Sonic's journey in part 3?

Colleen O'Shaughnessey: I am so excited that he is an integral part of the team right now. He is the guy in the chair, like from Spider-Man. [Laughs] He's behind the scenes. He knows all the stuff. He's got the gadgets, and he's ready to swoop in and help whenever they need him.

ScreenRant: Kristen, you're new to the Sonic franchise as Director Rockwell, who is a badass. What was it like stepping into a universe with this rich mythology and large fanbase?

Krysten Ritter: It was so exciting. When you're coming into a system that's already built, it can feel like you're the new kid at school, but it wasn't like that at all. I got there, and I think the first thing Jeff said was like, "Okay, we're doing a photo. We're all a family here. Welcome to the family," and that was the tone.

It was set from the beginning, and it was really positive, really friendly, really warm, really calm set. Nobody's yelling. It was kind of amazing, and I was like, "Who knew?" Quiet kids' movies, that's where it's at. It was the best. And working with Jim was like a dream come true for me.

Colleen O'Shaughnessey & Krysten Ritter React To Shadow In Sonic 3

“It's a big challenge for them to try and save the universe once again.”

ScreenRant: Another new character we get in this film is Shadow. Colleen, how does Team Sonic feel about Shadow?

Colleen O'Shaughnessey: They don't know who he is or where he came from. He's pretty scary. He's the ultimate lifeform, and of course, they have him kick Tails' butt immediately.

I saw somebody put together a little thing of all the different iterations of Shadow kicking Tails' butt, and they're like, "Why is he always kicking on Tails?" [Laughs] But yeah, he's scary, and I think it's a big challenge for them to try and save the universe once again.

ScreenRant: What does a Shadow's breakout mean for G.U.N. and Director Rockwell?

Krysten Ritter: Director Rockwell isn't a huge fan of the aliens, she's very skeptical. She thinks that they have too much freedom as it is, but of course, Shadow means they have to go recruit Team Sonic to come in and help. Without giving anything away, there's a little bit of a twist that comes, but it's a very badass, cool character I get to play.

ScreenRant: Colleen, Sonic 3 explores the themes of found family and making choices. Can you talk about that theme through the movie?

Colleen O'Shaughnessey: Yeah, they've come together as a team, but then they also have a family with Tom and Maddie, and it's such a beautiful thing. They've got this sort of sibling rivalry going on, but I think it is a recurring theme throughout the whole film, because they have to figure out a way to stay a team and work together instead of everybody going off and trying to do things on their own.

ScreenRant: Kristen, you talked about working with Jim Carrey, and we get a double dose of Jim in this film. What was your favorite moment working with Jim?

Krysten Ritter: Well, I have a very big set piece scene with him where we're doing physical comedy, and that was one for the books, let me tell you. Doing big stunts like that, doing a physical comedy scene with the king of physical comedy was incredible. We both were pretty beat up and very sore and really did massages after that. And to be in the trenches with your comedy hero, it's just insane; a big pinch-me moment. It was a really big deal to me, to be honest.

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

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is in theaters December 20.

Source: Screen Rant Plus