Keanu Reeves Takes on the Role of Shadow in ‘Sonic 3’

Well-known actor Keanu Reeves is venturing into a new franchise, joining the cast of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as the voice of the character Shadow, according to reports by The Hollywood Reporter.

This announcement follows a recent presentation at CinemaCon by Paramount, where a sneak peek of Sonic 3 was unveiled. The footage revealed the storyline involving Dr. Robotnik, portrayed by Jim Carrey, who is depicted as downcast and unfit following the events of Sonic 2. However, his demeanor changes when he creates Shadow the Hedgehog, a character introduced in the video games in 2001’s Sonic Adventure 2. Shadow serves as a darker, edgier counterpart to Sonic, possessing similar powers.

The Sonic movie series by Paramount originated with 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog, which exceeded expectations by grossing $319 million worldwide, marking a successful venture in the video game adaptation genre. The sequel, Sonic 2, released in 2022, raked in $404 million globally. Jeff Fowler directs all three films, with Ben Schwartz voicing Sonic and James Mardsen playing Tom Wachowski, Sonic’s human companion.

Reeves has been a prominent figure in blockbuster films in recent years, starring in movies like John Wick: Chapter 4 and reprising his iconic role as Neo in 2021’s The Matrix: Resurrections. Upcoming projects for him include Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune, where he portrays a guardian angel, and a cameo as the renowned assassin in John Wick Presents: Ballerina, a spinoff featuring Ana De Armas.

The initial report of Reeves’ casting came from The John Campea Show.