The live-action Sonic the Hedgehog's cast - is left as the planet's defender.
The Sonic the Hedgehog 3's story, with the third installment in the trilogy including some deep-cut video game characters. These characters, combined with the many others from across Sonic the Hedgehog's live-action entries, are synonymous with the games, proving just how many from the source material the family films include.
9 Sonic the Hedgehog
Appears In: Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Knuckles, Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Of course, the first character in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies from the video games is, well, Sonic the Hedgehog. The first movie outlines Sonic's origins, from his time as a young hedgehog with his guardian to his arrival on Earth. Sonic, after being chased by the rival echidna tribe, arrived on Earth via the franchise's iconic Gold Rings. After living life alone on Earth for 10 years, Sonic befriends Tom and Maddie Wachowski, two residents of Green Hills. After being targeted by mad scientist Dr. Robotnik, Sonic defeats him, saves Earth, and begins living with the Wachowskis.
Sonic the Hedgehog
- Release Date
- February 12, 2020
- Runtime
- 99 minutes
- Director
- Jeff Fowler
WHERE TO WATCH
Sonic the Hedgehog is a 2020 family adventure film directed by Jeff Fowler, focusing on Sonic, a speedy blue hedgehog who teams up with a small-town sheriff. They work together to thwart the plans of the evil Dr. Robotnik, who seeks to exploit Sonic's extraordinary abilities for global domination.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 focuses on Sonic defending himself and Earth against Robotnik, who returns for revenge alongside an echidna warrior. The third film in the franchise is similar in that Sonic needs to overcome more otherworldly threats, driven by Robotnik and another iconic video game character. As alluded to, this arc for Sonic in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies is very similar to the character from the eponymous video game series. While some changes are made, Sonic often defends Earth and another planet, Mobius, from threats looking to uncover the power of the Chaos Emeralds and Master Emerald.
8 Longclaw
Appears In: Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic's origin story in the Sonic the Hedgehog film series introduces a character named Longclaw. Longclaw is a giant owl and the guardian of both Sonic and the Master Emerald, defending it from the echidna clan who believe themselves to be the Emerald's protectors. The attack by the echidnas sends Sonic, and the Master Emerald, to Earth, leaving Longclaw behind. Longclaw sacrifices herself to buy Sonic and the Emerald time, appearing in a hologram in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
A man wearing a costume of Longclaw appears in the TV show Knuckles, spoofing the origin story shown in Sonic the Hedgehog.
Interestingly, Longclaw has a distinct difference from the other characters on this list. Every single other character was depicted in the Sonic video game series first, later being adapted into live-action via the Sonic the Hedgehog movies. Longclaw, however, was added to the game series after her appearance in 2020's Sonic the Hedgehog movie. Longclaw has since appeared in games like Sonic Dash, Sonic Forces: Speed Battle, and Sonic Dash+.
7 Miles “Tails” Prower
Appears In: Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Knuckles, Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Beyond Longclaw and Sonic, the other anthropomorphic character introduced in Sonic the Hedgehog was Miles "Tails" Prower. Tails appeared in the end-credit scene of Sonic the Hedgehog, arriving through a Gold Ring portal and claiming that he hopes he is "not too late." In Sonic the Hedgehog 2, it was revealed that Tails appeared to warn Sonic that a surviving echidna has teamed up with Dr. Robotnik to claim the Master Emerald. Tails and Sonic embark on a journey to find the Master Emerald, forming a close friendship as a result.
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In the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, especially in the third, Tails embodies the role he has in the many Sonic video games. Above all, Tails is known for his steadfast loyalty to Sonic, as well as his intellectual genius. Tails is a renowned mechanic in the Sonic games, and proves to be such in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the latter in which he sports a custom jetpack. As one of the three main heroes of the Sonic franchise, it is no surprise the live-action movies feature Tails so heavily.
6 Dr. Ivo “Eggman” Robotnik
Appears In: Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3
As alluded to several times, the primary villain of the Sonic the Hedgehog live-action movies is Dr. Ivo Robotnik. Nicknamed "Eggman" by Sonic himself, Robotnik is a roboticist working for the US Government, though with ulterior motives. Upon realizing Sonic's true power, Robotnik wished to harness it in order to further his inventions and establish dominance over the Earth. Unfortunately for him, Sonic opposed him in Sonic the Hedgehog, defeating him and leaving him stranded on a planet filled with only mushrooms.
Jim Carrey plays Robotnik in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies and came out of retirement twice to play the villain in the latter two installments, proving his dedication to the role.
In Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Robotnik returned with two goals: get revenge against Sonic and find the Master Emerald, which would provide him with the power to rule the universe. He did so by manipulating the last surviving echidna, who wished to protect the Master Emerald, into thinking Sonic was a threat to the gem. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 sees Robotnik return after being defeated by Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, briefly teaming up with Team Sonic against a new threat before re-establishing his plans for world dominance.
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Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Release Date
- April 8, 2022
- Runtime
- 122 minutes
- Director
- Jeff Fowler
Cast
Shemar Moore
WHERE TO WATCH
The iconic blue hedgehog is back in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, eager to prove himself as a hero. And when Dr. Robotnik escapes his prison, it seems he'll have his chance. This film introduces viewers to beloved characters Tails and Knuckles, in another mad dash for adventure.
In the video game series, Robotnik - more commonly referred to by his nickname, Eggman - is the archnemesis of Sonic. As such, the Sonic the Hedgehog movies portray this dynamic well, often featuring Robotnik's over-the-top attempts at world domination. The Master Emerald and Chaos Emeralds are big parts of Robotnik's plans, also translating the same MacGuffins from the Sonic games.
5 Knuckles the Echidna
Appears In: Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Knuckles, Sonic the Hedgehog 3
The echidna who teamed up with Dr. Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is another iconic character from the video game series: Knuckles. Knuckles is first introduced in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, searching for the Master Emerald. He finds Robotnik, who tricks Knuckles into thinking Sonic is seeking the Master Emerald for world domination, despite doing so himself. Knuckles briefly teams up with Robotnik to find the Emerald, later being betrayed by him, ing Sonic and Tails as a result.
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Knuckles is the only character besides Sonic to have his own titular project in the live-action franchise. By the time of Knuckles' ending - a six-episode Paramount+ series - the character begins to see Earth as his home, setting up his stronger friendship with Sonic and Tails in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Knuckles' loyalty to Sonic derives from his protection of the Master Emerald, a job he was given by his echidna tribe before they perished attempting to steal the Emerald from Longclaw in Sonic the Hedgehog.
4 Pachacamac
Appears In: Sonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles
A smaller character in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, but one that still appears in the video games, is Pachacamac. Pachacamac is the leader of Knuckles' echidna tribe, shown shooting arrows at Longclaw in Sonic the Hedgehog's opening. Pachacamac then appears as a ghost in Knuckles, helping the last surviving echidna fulfill his destiny. Pachacamac appeared in some Sonic games, including Sonic Adventure.
3 Shadow the Hedgehog
Appears In: Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Another major antagonist in the Sonic the Hedgehog live-action series is Shadow the Hedgehog. Shadow was first introduced in Sonic the Hedgehog 2's post-credit scene, shown to be held in a form of stasis by the agency known as GUN. Also known as the Guardian Units of Nations, GUN was actually unaware of the secret facility housing Shadow, which was part of "Project Shadow." Shadow awakens in the post-credit scene of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, setting up his bigger antagonist role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Shadow awakens after his stasis fails and begins to wreak havoc on Earth. Shadow's past links to another video game character, with his pain and trauma from the subject causing him to clash with Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles as he threatens Earth. In the film, Shadow is voiced by Keanu Reeves. The plot of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 follows closely with Shadow's first appearance in the game series, Sonic Adventure 2, as well as the events of his standalone game, Shadow the Hedgehog.
2 Dr. Gerald Robotnik
Appears In: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Hilariously, Jim Carrey plays a double role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Not only does the veteran comic actor return as Ivo Robotnik, but also as his grandfather, Gerald Robotnik. Gerald Robotnik is a video game character tied directly to Shadow's story from Sonic Adventure 2 and Shadow the Hedgehog, given that the former created the latter. Gerald Robotnik was hired to essentially invent immortality using medical science and technology, resulting in his creation of Shadow, the Ultimate Life Form.
Gerald's past is just as tragic as Shadow's, with the two being linked by a character named Maria...
This story is adapted in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, with Carrey portraying both Ivo and Gerald. Gerald's past is just as tragic as Shadow's, with the two being linked by a character named Maria. What became of Maria drove Gerald to madness, reflecting poorly on Shadow, as is explored in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
1 Maria
Appears In: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
The final video game character in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, thus far, is Maria. Maria is the granddaughter of Gerald Robotnik and the cousin of Ivo. In Sonic Adventure 2 and Shadow the Hedgehog, it is revealed that Maria was tragically killed in the crossfire between GUN agents and those dedicated to Gerald. After Gerald's work was deemed too dangerous, GUN agents tried to shut down the projects, including Project Shadow. Maria was lost, driving Gerald to madness.
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Gerald then dedicated his life to getting revenge on humanity for Maria's death, altering Shadow's memory to carry out this will. Shadow's memory alteration blended with his strong friendship with Maria, causing the hedgehog to go along with Gerald's plans. In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, this tragic backstory between Maria, Shadow, and Gerald is explored, with the former being played by Alyla Browne. While more Sonic the Hedgehog characters are sure to be explored should the franchise continue, these are the few that appear in the live-action series thus far.
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Sonic the Hedgehog 3
- Release Date
- December 20, 2024
- Runtime
- 110 minutes
- Director
- Jeff Fowler
Cast
Sonic (voice)
Dr. Robotnik / Gerald Robotnik
WHERE TO WATCH
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.
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