After the smashing success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, it was only a matter of time before Paramount announced Sonic the Hedgehog 4. An official release date for Sonic 4 has been reported, with the Blue Blur’s next movie gracing screens in spring 2027. With each new installment, the franchise has included more classic Sonic characters, with Shadow and Gerald Robotnik entering the fray most recently. In the end credits of Sonic 3, Amy Rose and Metal Sonic have their grand introductions, setting up Sonic 4‘s story.
In this scene, Sonic (Ben Schwartz) is celebrating his victory over Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba) in a race before realizing he is lost. Metal Sonic then attacks him, firing an explosive his way, which Sonic dodges and confronts the villain. It’s then revealed that Metal Sonic is one of many before Amy Rose rescues him using her Pika Pika Hammer. In a direct reversal from Amy’s video game origin in Sonic CD, where she was instead saved by Sonic, this change makes her involvement all the more exciting, setting her up to be a mᴀssive part of Sonic 4.
Amy Rose Had The Best Introduction Of Any Sonic The Hedgehog Movie Hero
Her Introduction Teased Something Much Bigger
Of the heroes introduced in the Sonic movies, Amy’s entrance is the most action-packed. Without saying a word, she looks to be one of the best fighters yet, with her use of the Pika Pika Hammer making easy work of the Metal Sonics. In contrast, Tails’ introduction in the post-credits scene for Sonic the Hedgehog shows them using their signature two tails to fly towards Sonic’s location, proclaiming: “I just hope I am not too late.” While a solid tease for the sequel, the ambiguity of the scene didn’t allow for as much excitement as Amy Rose’s entrance.
Knuckles’ introduction in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 as a villain was also a great first impression of the character. While some questioned Knuckles’ inclusion as a villain in Sonic 2, his arc through the movie helped lay the foundation for Team Sonic. However, while Knuckles’ first appearance is nice, it only really sets up the rest of that movie. Introducing Amy at the end of Sonic 3 gives time for theories about what stories they can tell, and changing her from a “damsel in distress” to a hero from the start means she will be a prominent figure in the future of the franchise.
If You Told Me In 2020 That Sonic The Hedgehog Would Release 3 Great Live-Action Movies, I Wouldn’t Have Believed You
After Seeing How The Original Design Looked, The Franchise’s Success Is A Surprise
When Paramount released the initial trailer and poster for Sonic the Hedgehog, they were mocked for making Sonic look too human-like, with his strangely muscular, yet skinny, legs and sharp teeth. After enough fan backlash forced a redesign, Sonic’s new look was well-received, while “Ugly Sonic” went on to appear in Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers. Without the redesign of the character, the Sonic franchise could’ve been ᴅᴇᴀᴅ in the water. Instead, fast-forward a few years, and the video game adaptation has become a mᴀssive box office success.
Sonic 3 was not only the franchise’s highest-grossing film, but it also received rave reviews for balancing its humor with the serious tone of the story.
Making one Sonic movie successful after the first reactions to his design would’ve been enough, but the franchise has only gained momentum, partially due to the public backlash, making it a talking point. Sonic 2 improved upon the original, bringing more franchise lore to the screen and earning Knuckles his own TV show. Sonic 3 was not only the franchise’s highest-grossing film, but it also received rave reviews for balancing its humor with the serious tone of the story. The Sonic movies continue to surprise and improve with each outing, adding more elements from the games each time.
I Seriously Think Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Could Be The Best Yet
The Stakes Have Never Felt Higher
As each movie surpᴀsses the previous one, the Sonic franchise continues to go bigger, bringing more Easter eggs from the games into its stories and showcasing numerous new characters. Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik is one of the standouts of the films, but Carrey has flirted with retirement from acting, meaning there may need to be a new big bad. Josh Miller and Pat Casey, the producers of the Sonic movies, have teased that they want to introduce Big Cat, a villain they think could be “our Thanos” for the Sonic franchise.
Despite being created by Dr. Robotnik in the games, Metal Sonic’s inclusion in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 failed to reveal his origin, meaning that another unseen character could be responsible instead. After the explosive entrance of Amy Rose changed her origin, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Miller and Casey tweak Metal Sonic’s story as well. With limitless opportunities and so many more characters yet to be introduced, the Sonic franchise can go anywhere, maybe without the inclusion of Sonic’s human companions.
