After the series’ third film, which was a huge success, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will have a difficult time finding a suitable role for Shadow. All the characters in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 were great, but Shadow is widely viewed as the highlight of the movie. Additionally, since Shadow is such a popular character from the video games that fans have been waiting to see in a film for a long time, he is one of the main reasons why Sonic 3 was such a major critical and commercial success.
After the ending of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, fans were immediately asking for a Shadow spinoff. About six months after the release of the third film, which managed to gross $492 million at the worldwide box office (via Box Office Mojo), a Shadow the Hedgehog spinoff has still not been announced. However, obviously, Sonic 4 is in development. Therefore, fans are still wondering whether Shadow will get his own movie or if he will appear in the upcoming fourth film. However, bringing Shadow back for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 would create some major problems for the franchise.
Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Can’t Bring Back Shadow Without Creating Some Problems
Shadow Steals The Spotlight From Sonic
The third film in the series dedicates a lot of time to exploring Shadow’s backstory. After he crash-lands on Earth, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 shows Shadow form a special bond with Maria, the granddaughter of Gerald Robotnik, before ultimately getting imprisoned after her tragic death. Even though Shadow is initially presented as a villain, he finds redemption by the end of the film and teams up with Sonic to take down Gerald Robotnik. This was a great storyline, but it has been pointed out by many that Shadow completely overshadows Sonic in the third film.
This is not ideal since Sonic is obviously meant to be the main character of the franchise. Therefore, if Shadow is brought back in the fourth film, it runs the risk of making Sonic feel like a less important character in the series. A solution to this problem would be to only give Shadow a smaller role, but that would disappoint fans who loved his storyline in Sonic 3. Therefore, this truly does seem like a lose-lose situation for the writers of Sonic the Hedgehog 4. In my opinion, the best solution is to give Shadow his only solo movie.
A Shadow Solo Movie Is The Franchise’s Best Solution To Sonic 4’s Problem
Fans Desperately Want A Shadow Spinoff Movie
After the second film in the series, Knuckles received his own spinoff show. Therefore, the franchise clearly wants to pursue spinoffs, and Shadow is undoubtedly a character who deserves his own project. Rather than a show, I think a Shadow spinoff would work far better as a movie. After all, the success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 proves that fans want to see Shadow on the big screen. Overall, making a Shadow spinoff movie and not putting him in the fourth film ensures that Sonic will get the most time in the spotlight in Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
It makes sense for Shadow to have a solo adventure in a spinoff movie since he is very much a lone wolf-type character.
Additionally, by giving him a solo movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 won’t risk making Shadow seem like a less important character by reducing his role too much. The post-credits scene of Sonic 3 introduced both Amy Rose and Metal Sonic, so the fourth film honestly doesn’t need Shadow. While the members of Team Sonic will go on a new adventure in the fourth film, it makes sense for Shadow to have a solo adventure in a spinoff movie since he is very much a lone wolf-type character.
Shadow Not Being In Sonic 4 Would Be Disappointing After Their Super Team-Up
Should Sonic & Shadow Work Together Again?
A Shadow spinoff could potentially introduce characters like Black Doom and explore Shadow’s origins even more, which is exciting. However, it would obviously still be slightly disappointing if Shadow doesn’t appear in the fourth film. In my opinion, he’s not needed for Sonic the Hedgehog 4, but the fact that fans want to see Shadow in the movie proves what a difficult position the franchise is currently in.
Shadow is now arguably the most popular character in the Sonic movie franchise. After his epic team-up with Sonic during the climax of the third film, fans desperately want to see more of Shadow. Additionally, it would still be great to explore the dynamic between Sonic and Shadow. However, it is clear that both these characters take the spotlight away from the other, which is exactly why Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will have a hard time finding a role for Shadow that will please fans.
