Sonic the Hedgehog 3 sped into cinemas this weekend, and its box office thus far has proved how well the franchise continues to be received. While plenty of characters from previous movies returned, including Sonic (Ben Schwartz) himself, Knuckles (Idris Elba), and Tails (Colleen O'Shaughnessey), Sonic 3 also introduced several beloved characters from the games. Shadow (voiced by Keanu Reeves) serves as the primary antagonist, while Ivo Robotnik's (Jim Carrey) grandfather Gerald (also Carrey) also reunited with his family.

Agent Stone (Lee Majdoub) may consider himself part of Robotnik's extended family, but Sonic The Hedgehog 3 sees him left behind by his employer to some degree. Despite this, it also affords the sidekick an opportunity to display emotional depth beyond what he has previously shown. Given that the franchise is far from slowing down, there will be several other chances to see new sides to Stone and other ing cast .

ScreenRant interviewed Majdoub about his role in Sonic The Hedgehog 3, and how the introduction of Gerald affects Stone's relationship with Robotnik. The actor commented on the movie's theme of found family and his personal experience shaving Jim Carrey's hair onscreen.

The Evolution Of Stone’s Relationship With Robotnik In Sonic The Hedgehog 3

“Stone kind of becomes a third wheel within this relationship…”

ScreenRant: I love Sonic 3. This is a fantastic film. Stone has always been a loyal confidant of Robotnik, but with Gerald coming into the picture, what can you tease about Robotnik and Stone's dynamic in this film?

Lee Majdoub: Stone kind of becomes a third wheel within this relationship, and I think he's having a challenge finding his place amidst this relationship between Ivo and Gerald.

ScreenRant: In this film, I feel that we really get to see an evolution of Agent Stone and he gets to do a lot more. Can you talk about how the character has evolved since the first film and what new dimensions you were excited to explore with the character?

Lee Majdoub: Oh, a hundred percent. I mean, in the first film we're introduced to the character, and he's just, initially on paper, he was just kind of there. And through a relationship with Jim evolving, those two roles evolved as far as their relationship was concerned. He was kind of just an assistant.

In the second one, we saw that he was given a little bit more to do. He was in charge of establishing the lab in the Mean Bean. Then in this one, we get to see him roll up his sleeves, action sequences, more responsibility. You realize that Ivo can't really survive without Stone, and on top of it as an actor, we got to really delve a little bit more into Agent Stone's emotional depth.

ScreenRant: We get a double dose of Jim Carrey in this movie, which is fantastic. Can you talk about matching and complimenting Jim's high-energy performance in this film?

Lee Majdoub: Oh, thank you for saying that. Number one, I think it's just about being there. I was always taught as an actor, the best actors are always there for their scene partners, and that's what it was. It is very much a partnership, and he's there for me just as much as I'm there for him.

With adding the fact that he was also playing Gerald, there were sometimes discussions like, "Okay, what are you going to do when we film that other side so I know how to be there for you in that moment?" Or, "What's the opinion there?" It added an element of technical planning in a sense.

ScreenRant: Now you get to shave Jim Carrey's head on screen. Talk to me about that scene. Did you keep a lock of his hair?

Lee Majdoub: People are asking me that, and I did not, and I'm starting to kick myself. I'm kidding. It was such a blast to find out that Jim came up with the idea. He was like, I've got long hair. We might as well cut it on camera, make it part of the montage of Ivo getting ready, and let's have Stone do it. I want Lee to cut my hair.

There was this conversation around, "Well, should we get a barber to do it?" And Jim was like, "No, Lee can do it. I trust Lee. Let's have him do it." So for him to show me that - every movie our relationship has built, Jim and I, and then I think the relationship between Ivo and Stone has paralleled that. I love that.

What Sonic 3’s Theme Of Found Family Means To Agent Stone

“I think a lot of us struggle with finding where we belong and what we're meant to do in life.”

ScreenRant: Speaking of that, I love the themes of this film. Can you talk about the theme of found family and making the right choices and what that means for Agent Stone?

Lee Majdoub: I think found family is so huge for so many people. I think a lot of us struggle with finding where we belong and what we're meant to do in life. I think for Stone, there was something in the first movie where Robotnik talks about being an orphan, and I was like, "Oh, what if?" And this was for me, we never discussed it, but I was like, "Oh, what if Stone's an orphan? What if he had to leave home or whatever?"

That's kind of the first little thing in common that they have, and I think that relationship is huge to Stone. I think maybe Ivo is the only one that really sees him in a sense.

ScreenRant: As Agent Stone deals with the fallout of Robotnik's plan, how does his loyalty get tested in this film?

Lee Majdoub: That's a great question. I mean, I know Agent Stone really sees things in Ivo that others don't, and I think he just has faith in him that maybe Ivo doesn't see in himself.

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
• Colleen O'Shaughnessey & Krysten Ritter

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is in theaters December 20.

Source: Screen Rant Plus