Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will have a hard time finding a suitable role for Shadow, which proves that we need a spinoff following Keanu Reeves’ character. 2024’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the most critically and commercially successful film of the franchise so far. All the Sonic movies have found success at the box office, but anticipation was significantly higher for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 because it featured Shadow, who is voiced by Reeves. Shadow is undoubtedly one of the best characters in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and deserves his own spinoff.

While Shadow is initially set up as one of the main villains in the film, he finds redemption and teams up with Team Sonic at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Shadow even risks his life to destroy the Eclipse Cannon, saving humanity from extinction. Thankfully, the post-credits scene of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 confirms that Shadow survived the explosion at the end of the film, which means he can return in a future movie. However, I hope we get a Shadow spinoff since he will likely have a smaller role in Sonic the Hedgehog 4.

Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Has A Shadow Problem After His Role In Sonic 3

Shadow Is Unlikely To Join Team Sonic In Sonic The Hedgehog 4

After the post-credits scene of Sonic 3, it is understandable for fans to ᴀssume that Shadow will have a major role in the fourth film, which is currently set for a March 19, 2027 release. After all, after serving as one of the main villains in the second film, Knuckles became an official member of Team Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Since Shadow has a similar character arc as Knuckles, it would make sense for him to also join Team Sonic in the fourth film. However, this wouldn’t make sense for his character.

Knuckles and Shadow are drastically different characters in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. While Knuckles wanted a family after the events of the second film, Shadow is more of a lone wolf. Even though he finds redemption at the end of the third film, he likely won’t want to join Team Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog 4. This means that Shadow’s role in Sonic 4 might be much smaller, since he won’t consistently be interacting with the movie’s main characters. This is why Shadow needs to get his own spinoff film, in which he can be the main character.

Sonic 4 And Future Sequels Can’t Be All About Shadow (Regardless Of His Popularity)

Shadow Needs To Step Out Of The Spolight In Sonic The Hedgehog 4

Other than the тιтular Blue Blur, Shadow is definitely the most popular character in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. After his introduction in the 2001 video game Sonic Adventure 2, Sega initially wasn’t planning on including him in future games. However, after seeing how much fans loved the character, Shadow became one of the main characters in the franchise. This is exactly why his role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was so highly anticipated after previously being teased in the post-credits scene of the second movie.

Even though Shadow is one of the most popular characters in the franchise, future Sonic the Hedgehog movies cannot be all about him. Shadow arguably takes the spotlight away from Sonic in the third film, but this shouldn’t be the case for future entries in the series. While Shadow can appear and even help Team Sonic at times in future movies, he will likely never be an official member of the team. Since his role in future films will never be as significant as it is in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, a Shadow the Hedgehog spinoff seems like a no-brainer.

Shadow Should Have His Own Movie So The Sonic Sequels Can Move On From Him

A Shadow The Hedgehog Spinoff Could Be Amazing

Shadow needs to step out of the spotlight in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 so that other characters, such as the newly introduced Amy Rose, can shine. However, just because Shadow should have more of a supporting role in future Sonic movies, that does not mean his character should not be further explored. In fact, there are still a lot of things that should be revealed about Shadow, such as where in space he lived before crashing on Earth.

While he could still be involved in Sonic 4’s story, which will likely see Team Sonic take on Metal Sonic, a potential Shadow the Hedgehog spinoff could introduce other major franchise villains, such as Black Doom. In the video games, Black Doom is Shadow’s biological father and a major threat to humanity. By introducing Black Doom, a Shadow spinoff could explore more of the cosmic side of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. Therefore, in addition to a potential supporting role in Sonic the Hedgehog 4, I desperately want Shadow to receive his own spinoff.