Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is still a few years away, but theories about the story of the franchise’s next installment have flourished ever since the post-credits scene of Sonic 3 hinted at what is to come. While the filmmakers have remained тιԍнт-lipped about the project and are still in early development, there is one theory that has a lot of weight to it, which posits that Sonic 4′s story is going to feature time travel as a major element.

While there is no way of knowing the specifics of the story, Amy Rose and Metal Sonic, who were teased at the end of Sonic 3, are undoubtedly going to play a big part in the plot of Sonic 4. Both characters were introduced fairly early on in the video games, and have connections to the idea of time travel within the Sonic universe. However, there is one other character that has a connection to this concept who probably shouldn’t appear in the next Sonic film.

Sonic The Hedgehog 4 May Be About Time Travel

A Number Of Hints Point Towards This Theory

There are a number of reasons why the time travel theory arose, and one of the biggest is the fact that Amy and Metal were both introduced in the 1993 video game Sonic CD. This is important because that game also featured time-travel elements, using the aptly-named Time Stones to change the layout of levels throughout the game. As Amy and Metal Sonic are going to be the main focus of Sonic 4, this is a very easy connection to make, and the filmmakers have shown that they’re willing to adapt directly from the games.

There are even more hints towards this idea, one of which is the fact that one piece of Sonic 3 concept art shows off what looks like Metal Sonic alongside a version of Robotnik in a futuristic city that he seemingly rules. Another hint was in the movie itself, as Metal Sonic’s entrance referenced the iconic arrival of the Terminator, in a flash of light surrounded by smoke and lightning. While it isn’t officially confirmed, all of these factors point towards a time travel story for Sonic 4 as the main draw.

Time Travel In Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Would Point Toward Silver The Hedgehog’s Introduction

He Would Be A Natural Inclusion In A Time Travel Story

While time travel was introduced in Sonic CD, the character who is now mostly ᴀssociated with the concept, especially in modern games, is a character called Silver the Hedgehog, who was introduced in 2006’s Sonic the Hedgehog. In the game, Silver originated from the far-flung, dystopian future, where he was tricked by an antagonistic enтιтy called Mephiles into believing that Sonic was responsible for the apocalyptic world he was forced to live in. He then traveled into the past to try and stop him.

Silver eventually joined up with Team Sonic, becoming a recurring character throughout a number of games since then. Because of his futuristic origin, and because time travel was such an important part of Sonic ’06, where he was introduced, Silver is very closely ᴀssociated with the concept. If time travel does end up being central to Sonic 4, then it stands to reason that Silver’s introduction will follow sooner rather than later, and he will certainly bring about a huge shakeup to the franchise.

Silver’s Main Introduction Should Be Saved For Sonic The Hedgehog 5

He’ll Need His Own Time To Shine

Silver would be a fun character to see adapted into the live-action films, but it is important to note that he should probably not appear in Sonic 4, but rather should be saved for a bigger role in Sonic the Hedgehog 5, whenever that comes out. The Sonic movies already have a character problem, with too many new additions that all need to feel important, and trying to introduce Silver alongside Amy and Metal Sonic would definitely be too much for Sonic the Hedgehog 4.