After a year of silence, SEGA’s blue blur is warming up for his next movie adventure as Paramount have revealed a new teaser for Sonic the Hedgehog 4. Picking up after the events of 2024’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Ben Schwartz’s take on the gaming icon is facing off with fan-favorite villain Metal Sonic following a mid-credits tease.

Sonic will also be joined by Amy Rose, as The Good Place and Frozen‘s Kristen Bell will provide the voice of the bubbly pink hedgehog, but she’s not alone as the Blue Blur comes face to face with friends and foes, old and new alike. Old foes, new threats, and a wider universe await SEGA’s beloved mascot Sonic the Hedgehog 4.

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The Wachowski Family is Back Together

Paramount

Team Sonic may be rushing into their next adventure, but they won’t be alone. The title reveal trailer confirmed that James Marsden and Tika Sumpter will reprise their roles Tom and Maddie Wachowski. Ever since 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog, Tom and Maddie have become the adoptive family of Sonic, Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessy), and Knuckles (Idris Elba), creating a beloved family unit at the heart of the franchise.

However, after helping Sonic settle into life on Earth, Tom and Maddie have played a smaller role with each installment. Furthermore, strain was put on the family dynamic in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 when Tom was injured during the group’s mission in London. While the group may have reunited in the 2024 installment’s climax, underlying tension could push the family apart further, especially with the threat Metal Sonic may pose.

4

Jim Carrey is Back, But May Not Be The Doctor Fans Expect

Paramount

Despite Robotnik making the ultimate sacrifice to save the Earth in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, it has been confirmed that Jim Carrey will return to the franchise once more. However, while Robotnik has escaped certain death twice before, his fate in left little room to escape as the Eclipse Cannon exploded in Earth’s orbit. But, Sonic’s video game history, and the characters that are confirmed to be involved in Sonic the Hedgehog 4, could hint at how he may return.

Carrey’s narration alludes to alternate worlds and time travel, which could hint towards Carrey’s return seeing him play a version of Robotnik from another universe who never had the chance to redeem himself like he did in his final moments. Alternatively, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 could follow up the previous film’s adaptation of Sonic Adventure 2 with a loose adaptation of Sonic Heroes, which saw Metal Sonic impersonate Eggman to lure Sonic and his allies into a final adaptation, with Carrey playing a decoy created by Sonic’s mechanical doppelganger. While we may not know how he will return, it is certain that Carrey will steal the show in the upcoming sequel.

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Keanu Reaves Will Return as Shadow the Hedgehog

Paramount

Alongside Carrey’s return, the Sonic the Hedgehog 4 announcement video also revealed that Shadow the Hedgehog will return. Initially serving as a vengeful villain in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the iconic black and red hedgehog voiced by Keanu Reeves let go of his hatred to fulfill his promise to a long-lost friend by saving the Earth. Despite being caught in the destruction of the Eclipse Cannon, the franchise wasted no time in confirming that the anti-hero would return by revealing his survival in a post-credits stinger.

Unlike his game counterpart, however, it is uncertain what condition Shadow will be in when he returns. Following his debut in Sonic Adventure 2, Shadow embarked on a multi-game story arc where he was left amnesiac and uncertain of who he was, and even whether he was the genuine Shadow or just a copy. While Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s post-credits scene may have shown that Shadow was aware enough to pick up his Limiter Rings, he may need help in piecing together who he is from his former foes.

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The Chaos Emeralds Will Play a Major Role

Paramount

Throughout the title reveal trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 4, the 7 Chaos Emeralds remain the heart of its focus. Each major returning cast member, including Amy Rose, is reflected in each of the gems, while Carrey’s narration states that “The CHAOS has only just begun“. This emphasis on the artifacts could hint towards them being the major plot device of the sequel.

While they have aided Sonic and Shadow in taking on their super forms, the Chaos Emeralds can also grant users the ability to alter space and time itself. With the trailer using a riff from the “Sonic Boom” theme featured in Sonic CD, the movie could be playing heavily into that game’s use of time travel, with Sonic and friends racing to find the Emeralds and prevent a dark future from becoming reality.

1

Four New Actors Have Joined The Cast

Paramount

Alongside the previously-discussed video, several new cast members who will be joining the franchise in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 have been revealed. Wonder Man‘s Ben Kingsley, What We Do In The Shadows’ Matt Berry, Parks and Recreation’s Nick Offerman, and Richard Ayoade have all been cast in currently undisclosed roles, joining fellow newcomer Bell.

Despite their roles being kept a secret, it is notable that all four actors do have extensive experience in voice-acting roles, suggesting that they could actually be playing non-human characters, be they mechanical or anthropomorphic animals. Furthermore, Fowler stated in January 2025 that Metal Sonic may be more talkative than his game counterpart, meaning that any of the new cast members could be playing the antagonist itself. With just under a year until Sonic the Hedgehog 4 speeds into cinemas, fans new and old will be eagerly awaiting the next reveal for Sonic’s next big-screen adventure.

Release Date

March 18, 2027

Director

Jeff Fowler

Writers

Josh Miller, John Whittington, Patrick Casey

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  Ben Schwartz

  Sonic (voice)

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  Colleen O’Shaughnessey

  Tails (voice)

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  Idris Elba

  Knuckles (voice)