Warning: SPOILERS ahead for the Knuckles TV show and the video games Sonic Adventure 2 and Shadow the Hedgehog!

Another villain who could show up in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 may have been confirmed by Knuckles‘ interesting Shadow connection, setting the stage for a twist in the new movie. The Paramount+ spinoff focuses on Knuckles and Wade’s journey to Reno, Nevada, alongside the subsequent bowling tournament that happens at the end. While the cast of Knuckles doesn’t prominently feature many other Sonic characters, it allows for greater development of its lead heroes, as well as the mysterious Buyer who serves as the show’s antagonist.

At the end of Knuckles, the Buyer interrupts Wade’s tournament after he wins, throwing Knuckles through a wall into the bowling alley. This results in a final fight, wherein the core duo of the miniseries end up victorious. Following the defeat of the Buyer, they go back into the bowling alley to celebrate their win. The commentators also react to what just happened, but what one of them says could be hinting at a major connection between the show and Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s story.

Knuckles Reveals An Alien Showed Up In Reno 50 Years Ago

The Timeline Lines Up With Project Shadow

As the commentators realign themselves following the Buyer’s attack, Rob Huebel’s Dylan Beagleton reveals that a similar incident happened in 1974. This involved an alien showing up during a bowling tournament in Reno, though no details are given other than that they weren’t red like Knuckles. While this could be something that gets followed up in a potential Knuckles season 2, the year indicates it happened 50 years ago. This would put it in the same time frame as Project Shadow, indicating answers may arrive in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Although Shadow could be Knuckles‘ mysterious alien, it would be impossible if the series maintains faithfulness to the game series. In Shadow’s debut game, Sonic Adventure 2, he’s shown to be living on Space Colony ARK with Dr. Gerald Robotnik and Maria. If the movie keeps this detail about his past, then it would be improbable for him to be the alien the commentator is talking about. However, there is another alien character who could have arrived in the bowling alley instead – someone with deep ties to Shadow’s past.

Why Black Doom Might Be Knuckles’ Mysterious Alien Character

Black Doom Has Important Connections To Shadow In The Games

Instead of Shadow appearing at the Reno bowling alley, it’s possible that Sonic the Hedgehog villain Black Doom arrives there instead. First introduced in the game Shadow the Hedgehog, Black Doom is the leader of the Black Arms, a hive-mind alien race set on conquering Earth. He is also the Ultimate Lifeform’s genetic father, having donated his own DNA for Gerald to create him. While he believes Shadow will be useful in helping him conquer the planet, he eventually turns against the alien leader and helps save the world.

While it’s unclear why Black Doom would show up in a bowling alley, he could have gone there while observing Earth and planning his future invasion. Unlike other Sonic the Hedgehog villains, his plan is decades in the making, since his army was on their home, the Black Comet, which had yet to pass by Earth. This means his reconnaissance could have been to ensure the future attack would go well and that humanity wouldn’t be able to stop him. Even though it’s a very small moment, Knuckles may have set up the Black Arms invasion.

Will Black Doom Appear In Sonic The Hedgehog 3?

He Could Appear To Set Up The Next Movie

Aside from Shadow, the only other villain confirmed for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik return. This aligns with the black hedgehog’s introduction in the game series, which only featured the two of them and Rouge the Bat as primary antagonists. Adding Black Doom to the mix is possible, especially since Shadow has such a deep connection to him in the past. However, his appearance could also make the movie feel too bloated and shift focus from the story of Project Shadow.

But just because Black Doom might not have a significant role in the next Sonic movie doesn’t mean he won’t appear. So far, both films in the franchise have used post-credits scenes to tease the following installment, with Shadow making his debut during Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s credits. If the Black Arms leader does debut in the third movie, it might not be until after the credits start rolling. This could set the stage for a potential Sonic the Hedgehog 4 where he is spotlighted as the next primary antagonist.

Although Knuckles‘ bowling alley alien remains a mystery, there’s a strong possibility it ends up being Black Doom. If this is the case, then the miniseries has set the stage for a future movie or TV show after Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Given how large a threat the Black Arms are in the games, the villain’s arrival could be important to Shadow’s redemption arc, as he learns to give humanity a second chance. However, since it’s unlikely the villain will appear in the next movie, it seems there’s plenty of story for Shadow ahead in Sonic’s growing movie franchise.