Shadow’s origin in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 teases the introduction of a major franchise villain in a future movie. Sonic 3 wasted no time introducing Shadow the Hedgehog, one of the most popular characters from the Sonic video games. In many ways, Shadow is the primary focus of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The story of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 follows Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, who are tasked with taking down Shadow. However, they lose their initial encounter against Shadow, which leads the Black Blur to reunite with Gerald Robotnik, the grandfather of Ivo Robotnik.

Shadow is an antagonist to Team Sonic throughout most of the movie, but he eventually sides with them and turns against Gerald at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Even though it initially seemed like Shadow died on the space station during the film’s climax, the second post-credits scene of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reveals that he is still alive. Therefore, it is likely that he will return in a future Sonic movie, and Shadow’s new origin in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 also teases that Black Doom could be the villain of a future film in the series.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Confirms Shadow Came From Outer Space

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Changed Shadow’s Origin

Shadow’s origin in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and the video games are different. In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, it is revealed that Shadow crash-landed on Earth in an asteroid 50 years before the events of the film. It is not revealed where in space Shadow came from, but he is held in a GUN base after he was discovered on Earth. The GUN scientists, led by Gerald Robotnik, wanted to perform experiments on him so that they could understand his powers. However, after the accidental death of Maria, Gerald’s granddaughter, Shadow was trapped inside a test tube for 50 years.

In the Sonic video games, Shadow did not crash-land on Earth from space, but his backstory is still connected to Gerald and Maria. In the video games. Shadow was actually created by Gerald Robotnik and grew up on the Space Colony ARK. Gerald created Shadow in an attempt to save Maria, who suffered from a rare terminal disease. The ultimate goal of what was called “Project Shadow” was to achieve immortality. However, GUN ultimately decided to cover up Project Shadow and stormed the ARK, leading to the death of Maria.

Shadow’s Origin Can Now Connect To Black Doom

Black Doom Is Technically Shadow’s Father

Shadow’s origin in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 may be different from the video games, but there is still an opportunity to connect him to Black Doom, a major villain in the franchise. In the Sonic franchise, Black Doom is a sinister alien who is the leader of the Black Arms, an army of monsters that Sonic and his allies fight in the video games. To create Shadow, Gerald Robotnik actually made a deal with Black Doom to use the evil alien’s blood. Therefore, Shadow is technically the biological son of Black Doom.

Gerald and Black Doom may have never made a deal in the Sonic movie universe, but Shadow could still be Black Doom’s son. In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, it is never mentioned where Shadow came from. Therefore, it’s possible that Black Doom is the one who sent Shadow to Earth. In the video games, Black Doom wants Shadow to help him conquer humanity, so it would make sense for him to send his son to Earth.

Will Black Doom Be Sonic The Hedgehog 4’s Villain?

Black Doom Could Be Further Teased In Sonic 4

After the reveal that Shadow is still alive at the end of Sonic 3, it’s possible that Black Doom could be the villain of the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 4. However, based on Sonic 3’s first post-credits scene, it’s much more likely that Metal Sonic will be the villain of Sonic 4. Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s first post-credits scene introduced both Amy Rose and Metal Sonic, so it would make sense for Sonic 4’s story to focus on them, rather than a character that hasn’t even been introduced yet.

However, given Shadow’s new origin in the movie universe, it’s likely that Black Doom will be the villain of either a fifth Sonic film or a Shadow spinoff. A Shadow spinoff hasn’t officially been announced, but it would be the perfect opportunity to explore the relationship between Shadow and Black Doom. If that doesn’t happen, Black Doom would also make a threatening villain for Sonic 5 after being quietly set up in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.