Sonic 3 producer says it’s going to be a "giant, fun, incredible movie" that "takes a lot from Sonic Adventure 2"

Sonic
(Image credit: Paramount)

Sonic 3 producer Toby Ascher has opened up about the upcoming threequel, confirming what many had already suspected: it’s going to "take a lot" from Sonic Adventure 2.

According to the producer – who is also showrunner on the Knuckles series – Sonic 3 is “probably the most exciting thing that we’ve done in the franchise.” 

Ascher also tells GamesRadar+: "It’s going to be this giant, fun, incredible movie that obviously takes a lot from Sonic Adventure 2 and some of the games that I know the core Sonic Team grew up loving."

Sonic Adventure 2, initially released in 2001 on the Sega Dreamcast, has become a firm fan favorite – and also featured the debut of Shadow the Hedgehog.

Since then, the character – once dubbed the Ultimate Lifeform – has only snowballed in popularity. If recent reports are to be believed, Shadow will be played in Sonic 3 by Keanu Reeves.

That’s seemingly not the only element Sonic 3 is going to take from Sonic Adventure 2. The logo alone looks to be inspired by the game, while it’s already been confirmed that a track from Sonic Adventure 2 – Crush 40’s ‘Live and Learn’ – will be in the Sonic threequel.

Knuckles actor Idris Elba addressed Shadow’s reported casting in a separate interview with us, saying that he’s only "heard the rumors" but knows "nothing" of his fellow Cyberpunk 2077 castmate’s arrival into the Sonic-verse.

On Sonic 3, Elba adds: "Everything’s in increments, right? So if that [hand in the middle] was Sonic 1, that [hand higher up] is Sonic 2 then Sonic 3 [puts hand even higher]. Ding ding ding ding."

Knuckles is premiering on Paramount Plus on April 26 in the US and April 27 in the UK. 

For more, check out the new TV shows that are racing to your screens soon.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

Read more
Sonic
Sonic 4: Everything we know so far about Sonic the Hedgehog's next adventure
Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles in Sonic 3
As Sonic 4 release date is revealed, fans are theorizing what story the next movie will tell
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
As Sonic the Hedgehog 3 tears up the box office, its writers now want to adapt The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker: "We're putting it out there in the world"
Knuckles, Sonic and Tails in Sonic 3 (2024)
New Sonic 3 concept art may have spoiled what Metal Sonic will get up to next in Sonic 4 – and it could involve Eggman and time travel
Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik in Sonic 3 (2024)
22 years after the release of Bruce Almighty, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is now officially Jim Carrey’s highest-grossing movie
Sonic 2
Sonic 3 star says she "would love" to do a Tails spin-off series – and she's already got an idea for it
Latest in Action Movies
She-Hulk on Disney Plus
Tatiana Maslany canceled a Comic Con appearance due to "filming commitments", and it could mean She-Hulk is in the next Avengers movie
Charlie Cox in Daredevil
Daredevil star Charlie Cox says keeping his Spider-Man: No Way Home cameo a secret for two years was a "nightmare"
James Gunn
James Gunn reacts to Jason Momoa almost spoiling his Lobo costume in an interview: "I just want to profoundly thank Jason’s publicist"
Jason Momoa next to Lobo
Jason Momoa has gone method taking on the role of Lobo: "I asked everybody to call me by my character's name"
Avengers: Doomsday directors admit it's a "difficult" movie to make but tease some great Marvel collaborators "old and new"
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
The Russo Brothers say Robert Downey Jr. "tried to talk us into" doing another Avengers movie but they "said no" until they heard the pitch for Doomsday: "That story has to be told"
Latest in News
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Yasuke actor says that Naoe could beat his samurai in a fight: “Especially with that big a** helmet of mine”
The Legend of Dragoon
Beloved PS1 JRPG Legend of Dragoon wasn't meant to be a Final Fantasy 7 killer, Super Mario RPG's battle designer just said "I want to make a new RPG"
Fallout 76 screenshot showing an irradiated mutant man-like creature screeching, its sharp canine teeth showing
After 14 years at Bethesda, Skyrim and Fallout veteran made his final settlement in just 2 days – but only because he'd made some rough ones before that
halflife screenshot showing a headcrab jumping at a player
Half-Life devs worried Gabe Newell "promised things that they couldn't possibly deliver" for the iconic FPS, but "they just didn't know" that they'd be able to do it yet
Razer Freyja back cushions
Dune: Awakening will launch with full Razer Sensa HD haptics
Seth Rogen in The Studio
New Apple TV show with 97% on Rotten Tomatoes teases all its cameos, including Martin Scorsese and Zac Efron