Summary
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3 may repeat the formula of the second movie, risking a repetitive storyline.
- Introducing Shadow as a new antagonist can add complexity and emotional depth to the franchise.
- To avoid becoming stale, Sonic movies need to explore compelling new stories and emotional narratives.
New footage of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be released with new characters and an exciting premise that will adapt a fan-favorite storyline.
CinemaCon 2024 saw announcements and new footage for several film projects, building anticipation for movies like Sonic the Hedgehog 3. While the sequel still doesn't have a trailer for the public, there are Sonic the Hedgehog 3 CinemaCon footage descriptions to infer about. Recent news about the Sonic movie franchise implies it will continue to increase the stakes, with producer Toby Ascher suggesting the series will eventually reach "Avengers-level events." It's exciting for Sonic fans, but the third film will be pivotal for the franchise.
10 Video Game Storylines Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Could Adapt
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is on the way, and while there have been some hints as to what the story could be about, the sequel can also pull from the games.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Is Repeating The Second Movie's Story
Shadow The Hedgehog Could Follow A Very Similar Narrative To Knuckles In The Second Movie
In Sonic 2, Robotnik enlisted the help of Knuckles, hoping the red echidna would be powerful enough to defeat Sonic, though they instead became allies and defeated the villain. The film plays Sonic and Knuckles against each other for most of its run, allowing fans to see them go head-to-head for a while before they team up. This works for Knuckles, as his and Sonic's relationship is a fair bit more antagonistic than Sonic and Tails's. Sonic 3 runs the risk of being repetitive of the second film, with a nearly identical storyline.
Footage of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 at CinemaCon was fairly limited, indicating that a game-accurate Dr. Robotnik would be shown with a new plan to defeat Sonic. That plan involves Shadow, the mysterious hedgehog teased in the second movie's post-credit scene. Robotnik will likely use Shadow as another weapon to oppose Sonic, with the premise that Shadow is even more powerful than Knuckles. Knuckles and Shadow have some critical differences, but if the movie follows the narrative of Sonic Adventures 2, they could wind up following similar arcs.
Using The Same Formula As Sonic 2 Could Hurt The Sequel
If Sonic Wants To Expand Into A Franchise, It Has To Explore Compelling New Stories
Sonic game stories aren't known for being particularly nuanced, but one of the reasons Shadow is such a fan favorite is that his arc is rather emotional. The Sonic the Hedgehog movies have been rightfully silly and lighthearted so far, but being repetitive with formula and tone will hurt the franchise in the long run, especially if it's attempted to expand with grander threats. A shift in tone toward a more emotional narrative could benefit Shadow and the overarching narrative for the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Sonic movies shouldn't be too serious, but some variation will help its longevity.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is one of the best Sonic movies & shows, and imitating its narrative could be good in theory, but the implication of an expanded franchise gives Sonic 3 a higher bar. A Knuckles spin-off TV series starts on April 26, pushing the franchise forward even further. The material going forward has to focus on keeping the franchise fresh and engaging, especially if it will be building toward a more significant narrative.
How Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Can Avoid Being Too Repetitive
Shadow's Story From The Games Offers Plenty Of Room For Variation
Sonic 3 can differentiate itself from its predecessor through its ending. Using a similar plot structure is a fantastic way to make audiences feel comfortable before subverting their expectations with something shocking, and Shadow's storyline is perfect for that. If the film builds Shadow as a complex character, like Knuckles, who demonstrates that he has some good in him, audiences will expect him to grow into a hero, opening the potential for a surprise ending. In Sonic Adventures 2, Shadow turns good and helps Sonic save the world, though it comes at his heartbreaking sacrifice.
The other option would be for Shadow to stay bad, leaving his transformation for future films, similar to how Loki was portrayed in the MCU. This would also leave him to be used in future films rather than killing off one of the franchise's most compelling characters. The other significant factor for variation is Maria Robotnik, the human girl who's kind to Shadow and remains in his thoughts after her tragic death. It's one of the franchise's most emotionally driven narratives and could be the perfect element to make Sonic the Hedgehog 3 a fantastic movie.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reunites Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails as they face a formidable new adversary, Shadow. With Shadow's unprecedented powers posing a significant threat, Team Sonic seeks an unexpected alliance to thwart his plans and safeguard the planet.
- Cast
- Adam Pally, Tom Butler, James Wolk, Jorma Taccone, Cristo Fernández, Sofia Pernas, Brett Tutor, Richard Sutton, Will Austin, Barry Calvert, Brendan Murphy, Toru Nakahara
- Director
- Jeff Fowler
- Franchise(s)
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Studio(s)
- Sega Sammy Group, Original Film, Marza Animation Planet, Blur Studio
