Sonic the Hedgehog 4 might have the perfect replacement for Dr. Robotnik with this fairly new addition to the Sonic game franchise. Dr. Robotnik has typically been the antagonist of most iterations of Sonic the Hedgehog. Across video games, television, comics, and films, Dr. Robotnik has been the center of many of Sonic’s harshest battles, with Jim Carrey’s take on Dr. Robotnik bringing him to life on the big screen.

Despite being one of the major draws of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the apparent death of Dr. Robonik in the film’s climactic battle suggests the series may need to find a new central antagonist for Sonic to come up against. While Carrey could return for Sonic 4, there are plenty of other antagonists from the game series that could step up into the big bad role to replace Robotnik. Perhaps the best is a relatively fresh face in the Sonic franchise, whose unique abilities and connection to Robotnik make her an ideal legacy villain for Sonic to face off against.

Sage Is The A.I. “Daughter” Of Dr. Robotnik In The Sonic Franchise

Debuting in 2022’s Sonic Frontiers, Sage could easily replace Dr. Robotnik as the big bad for Sonic the Hedgehog 4. Sage is an artificial intelligence created by Dr. Robotnik, who typically operates in a robotic body that resembles a young girl. Initially designed to help him control the power of the mysterious “Ancients,” Robotnik came to genuinely care for his creation.

Robotnik even came to see her as his daughter, openly grieving when he believed she was killed — and sounding positively relieved when he discovered that she survived the climax of Sonic Frontiers as a digital construct. She has subsequently appeared in spin-off games like The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog and the upcoming Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.

Sage is quietly a great addition to the Sonic franchise, giving the game version of Dr. Robotnik someone actually to care about. It gives him more emotional stakes in the narratives. It also set up Sage as a villain in her own right. A lead role in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 could cement Sage as a true heir to Robotnik’s role as Sonic’s nemesis.

Why Sage Is The Perfect Villain For Sonic 4

Sage’s technological abilities would make her capable of deploying Robotnik’s machines with ease, making her an easy antagonist to slot into Sonic the Hedgehog‘s cinematic universe. She could be a final fail-safe designed by Robotnik but activated by Agent Stone, taking up Robotnik’s mantle and attempting to destroy the hedgehog.

Sage would be a unique female addition to the films, a deviation from the Robotnik-heavy films that preceded it. If Sonic the Hedgehog 4 were to take place in the future, as some fans have speculated, Sage could be a villain that transcends time periods. She could even be the one behind the Metal Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s post-credits scene.

Sage being the “daughter” of Robotnik could add more layers to the film’s focus on the bonds of family and friendship, pitting Sonic against a foe who genuinely sees Robotnik’s apparent death as the loss of their father. This could give Sage plenty of reason to go after Sonic, with a motivation Sonic can understand after his rage in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

If Sonic the Hedgehog 4 doesn’t bring back Dr. Robotnik, Sage is a natural next step forward. She can remain the aloof character she is in Sonic Frontiers, or be given a more outlandish personality to match her father. She’s a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly genius and could have compelling motivations, making her a great new villain for Sonic the Hedgehog 4.