Director Jeff Fowler and Sonic voice actor Ben Schwartz reveal many behind-the-scenes details about the making ofSonic the Hedgehog 3during the director’s commentary. The story ofSonic the Hedgehog 3follows Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, who get recruited by the Guardian Unit of Nations (GUN) to take on Shadow. In the film, Shadow eventually teams up with Agent Stone, Ivo Robotnik, and his grandfather, Gerald Robotnik, who threatens to use the Eclipse Cannon to destroy the world.
In addition to Schwartz, thecast ofSonic the Hedgehog 3includes Jim Carrey, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, James Marsden, and Tika Sumpter. By theend ofSonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic and Shadow actually team up to take down Gerald Robotnik. Even Ivo Robotnik, who has been the primary villain of all theSonicmovies, turns against his uncle. Now thatSonic 3has been released on digital, the director’s commentary provides many insights into how the film was created. Here are the ten biggest takeaways fromSonic the Hedgehog 3’sdirector’s commentary:
Aylya Browner Plays Maria In Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3wastes no time in teasing the relationship between Shadow and Maria. Fowler understood that Shadow’s bond with Maria was very important for the character. Therefore,casting the right actor to portray Maria was crucial to the success ofSonic the Hedeghog 3. During the director’s commentary, Fowler revealed thatMad Maxdirector George Miller actually made it easy to cast Maria.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Didn’t Include 1 Character From Shadow’s Backstory, But The Next Movie Should
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 didn’t include one important character from Shadow’s backstory, but the next movie should introduce them the film franchise.
Before she appeared inSonic the Hedgehog 3,Aylya Browne played young Furiosa inFuriosa: A Mad Max Saga. The most recentMad Maxmovie spends a significant amount of time with young Furiosa before she grows up and Anya Taylor-Joy takes over the role. Fowler loved that Browne had prior experience in a major franchise and instantly knew that Browne was the perfect choice for Maria inSonic 3. Therefore, casting Maria inSonic the Hedgehog 3was actually very easy for Fowler.
9Early Versions Of Sonic 3 Included More Ozzie Subtitles
Ozzie’s Barking Has Always Received Subtitles In The Sonic Movies
While Ozzie isn’t the most important character in theSonicmovies, he is still an essential member of Sonic’s family and has been around since the first movie. Therefore, Fowler always likes to give Ozzie a few comedic moments in eachSonicfilm. In fact,Fowler admitted that he actually got carried away with Ozzie’s subtitles inSonic the Hedgehog 3.
Fowler loved giving Ozzie different lines while makingSonic the Hedgehog 3.
During the director’s commentary,Fowler revealed that Ozzie originally had way more subtitles inSonic 3. For example, when Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles fly off in GUN’s helicopter, Ozzie originally barked and the subtitles read, “Make sure you pee on everything you can.” Fowler loved giving Ozzie different lines while makingSonic the Hedgehog 3. However, Fowler had to show restraint with Ozzie’s subtitles and ended up cutting this line, along with many others.
8Keanu Reeves Pitched The First Interaction Between Sonic & Shadow
Reeves Joins The Franchise As Shadow In Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Fowler didn’t want to make audiences wait for the first interaction between Sonic and Shadow.Sonic meeting Shadow is a moment that fans of the franchise have been waiting a long time to see, and Fowler is thrilled with how their first interaction turned out. In fact, Fowler claimed that Keanu Reeves, who voices Shadow the Hedgehog, was actually the one who came up with the idea for Sonic and Shadow’s first interaction.
When they first meet,both Sonic and Shadow are confused by the other’s appearance. Since they essentially look identical, they both bicker about how the other hedgehog looks like them. Reeves pitching the first few lines of dialogue between Sonic and Shadow proves how invested he was in his highly-anticipated role inSonic the Hedgehog 3.
7Shadow Didn’t Want To Start A Fight With Team Sonic At The Beginning Of Sonic 3
Shadow Easily Beats Sonic, Tails, & Knuckles In A Fight At The Start Of Sonic 3
After escaping from Prison Island in Tokyo Bay, Japan inSonic the Hedgehog 3, it is instantly clear that Shadow wants revenge against GUN. However, during their first meeting, Shadow doesn’t necessarily know that Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles have any association with GUN. Therefore, even though he is technically one of the villains of the movie,Fowler revealed that Shadow doesn’t want to fight Team Sonic at the start of the film.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Confirms A Subtle Shadow Reference Was In Knuckles' TV Show
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 finally properly introduces Shadow the Hedgehog, but his origins were already teased in the Knuckles spinoff series.
This is why Knuckles is actually the one who begins the fight between Team Sonic and Shadow. If Knuckles didn’t attack him, then Shadow wouldn’t have tried to fight the members of Team Sonic. InSonic the Hedgehog 3,Knuckles quickly learns attacking Shadow was a mistake, as the black hedgehog quite easily takes on him, Tails, and Sonic.This fight proves that Shadow is much more powerful than other characters that have been introduced in the franchise.
6Jeff Fowler Wanted Shadow’s Origin To Be Simpler In Sonic 3
Shadow’s Origin Is Changed In Sonic The Hedgehog 3
As the movie progresses, audiences learn more and more about Shadow’s origin.Shadow’s origin inSonic the Hedgehog 3is actually different from the video games.InSonic 3, Shadow crash-lands on Earth in an asteroid and is experimented on by GUN scientists, who are led by Gerald Robotnik. Meanwhile, in the video games, Gerald makes a deal with the villain Black Doom to create Shadow in an attempt to save Maria’s life.
Since Shadow came from space, it’s possible that Black Doom could be introduced in a futureSonicmovie.
Therefore, while Shadow and Gerald still have a connection inSonic the Hedgehog 3, Gerald is responsible for the creation of Shadow in the video games. For the movie,Fowler claimed that he wanted to keep Shadow’s origin simpler, so that he didn’t have to introduce characters like Black Doom and create any unnecessary confusion for the audience. However, since Shadow came from space, it’s possible that Black Doom could be introduced in a futureSonicmovie.
5Sonic 3 Was About Sonic Learning To Be A Leader
Sonic Faced Adversity In Sonic The Hedgehog 3
In the director’s commentary,Fowler and Schwartz discussed how the purpose of Sonic’s arc inSonic the Hedgehog 3was to teach him to be a better leader. The director and actor revealed that the firstSonicmovie was about Sonic finding a family, thenSonic the Hedgehog 2was about him finding a team. Therefore, now that Sonic has a team, it only made sense forSonic 3to be about him becoming a leader.
At several points duringSonic the Hedgehog 3, it is clear that Sonic is not a responsible leader. He often chooses to go off on his own, leaving Tails and Knuckles behind. However,by the end ofSonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic realizes the error of his ways. Team Sonic, along with Shadow, work together to save the world during the climax ofSonic the Hedeghog 3. Therefore, it is clear that he is a much better leader at the end ofSonic 3.
4Jim Carrey’s Hair At The Beginning Of Sonic 3 Is Real
Carrey Grew His Hair Out For Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Early on inSonic the Hedgehog 3, it is revealed that Jim Carrey’s Ivo Robotnik survived the climax of the secondSonicmovie. InSonic 3, audiences catch up with an extremely disheveled version of Ivo Robotnik. Ivo has very long hair and looks like he hasn’t showered in weeks at the beginning ofSonic the Hedgehog 3. During the director’s commentary,Fowler claims that Ivo’s long hair at the start ofSonic 3is actually Carrey’s real hair.
There’s Now Proof Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik Can Return In Sonic The Hedgehog 4
Robotnik seemingly left for good at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, but some unused concept art has already teased his return in the next movie.
Fowler stated that Carrey started growing his hair out when they wrapped filming onSonic the Hedgehog 2. Therefore, when it came time to shootSonic 3, he looked perfect for this version of Ivo.Fowler also revealed that Agent Stone actor Lee Majdoub actually shaved Carrey’s head on camera for Ivo’s transformationscene inSonic the Hedgehog 3. The director humorously added that Majdoub was terrified to shave Carrey’s head on camera.
Carrey Plays Two Robotnik’s In Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Carrey came out of his supposed retirement to play not one, but two characters inSonic the Hedgehog 3. Carrey reprises his role as Ivo inSonic the Hedgehog 3, but also plays Gerald Robotnik, who is Ivo’s long-lost grandfather. SinceGerald Robotnik is 110 years old inSonic 3, Carrey had to spend hours in the makeup chair. This meant that it was impossible for Carrey to act as both Ivo and Gerald on the same day.
Playing both Ivo and Gerald must have been incredibly difficult for Carrey, but he excelled in both roles and made them both standout characters inSonic the Hedgehog 3.
During the director’s commentary, Fowler revealed that they would film all of Carrey’s Ivo scenes on a Monday, for example, and then give him a day off to prepare for his Gerald scenes. Then they would film the same scene once again on Wednesday, but this time Carrey would be portraying Gerald.Playing both Ivo and Gerald must have been incredibly difficult for Carrey, but he excelled in both roles and made them both standout characters inSonic the Hedgehog 3.
2Jim Carrey Pitched The Nanotechnology Idea For Ivo & Gerald Robotnik’s Final Fight
Ivo Turns On Gerald At The End Of Sonic 3
While Ivo Robotnik has been a villain in previousSonicmovies, he turns on his grandfather during the climax ofSonic the Hedgehog 3and helps Team Sonic and Shadow save the world. DuringSonic 3’sclimax,Ivo and Gerald use nanotechnology while fighting each other. During this fight, Gerald creates a giant fist with nanotechnology, and also transforms himself into a mechanical scorpion. Meanwhile, Ivo creates wings to fly away from his grandfather.
In the director’s commentary,Fowler claimed that Carrey is actually the one who pitched the use of nanotechnology for Ivo and Gerald’s final fight. Since they are both scientific geniuses, them using nanotechnology to fight each other works perfectly. It also gave Carrey the chance to do some great physical comedy inSonic the Hedgehog 3.
1Jeff Fowler Teased Shadow’s Role In Future Sonic Movies
Shadow Will Certainly Appear In A Future Movie
Even though Shadow seemingly died when the space station exploded at the end of the film,Sonic the Hedgehog 3’spost-credits scenereveals that he is still alive. This is great news, as his character still has so much potential. During the director’s commentary,Fowler discussed what Shadow’s role could be in futureSonicmovies, stressing that he will always be a lone wolf character.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4has been confirmed and has a release date of Jul 22, 2025. However, fans also desperately want a Shadow spinoff after his role inSonic 3.
Therefore, even though he works with Team Sonic duringSonic 3’sclimax, Fowler’s comments make it clear that he will never be an official member of the team. However, Shadow will still try to do what is right in any future appearances. Shadow was a standout character inSonic the Hedgehog 3, so it will be exciting to see him in any futureSonicmovies, and possibly in his own spinoff project.
