Keanu Reeves voices Shadow in first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3

The first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 introduces Keanu Reeves as Shadow, a new antagonist to Ben Schwartz's Sonic

The first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has been released, introducing Keanu Reeves as the voice of Shadow, a new antagonist to Ben Schwartz's Sonic. Shadow, a popular character from the 2001 video game Sonic Adventure 2, is known for his dark, edgy persona and powers that rival those of Sonic.

The trailer was unveiled at CinemaCon in April, where Paramount offered a glimpse of the upcoming film. The footage revealed that the events of Sonic 2 left Dr. Robotnik (played by Jim Carrey) in a depressed and out-of-shape state. However, Robotnik returns to form by creating Shadow, who is determined to take down Sonic. This new dynamic sets the stage for the next chapter in the franchise.

The Sonic the Hedgehog film series has been a major success since its debut in 2020, grossing $319 million globally. The sequel, Sonic 2, followed in 2022, earning $404 million worldwide. Both films were directed by Jeff Fowler, with Schwartz reprising his role as Sonic alongside James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, Sonic’s human friend.

Reeves' role as Shadow marks his entry into the franchise, following Idris Elba's portrayal of the antagonist Knuckles in the 2022 sequel. Elba’s character is set to have an expanded role in the upcoming Paramount+ series Knuckles, which will also star Adam Pally.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 20, continuing the franchise's momentum with a new adversary and more high-speed action.