This article contains spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 producers Neal H. Moritz & Toby Ascher confirm they won’t recast Carrey’s Dr. Robonik in a third film if Jim Carrey retires from acting. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 features numerous returning cast members from the first film, including Ben Schwartz voicing Sonic, James Marsden, Adam Pally, Natasha Rothwell, Tika Sumpter, and Carrey as Dr. Robotnik aka Eggman. The sequel sees Sonic and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) team up to stop Knuckles (Idris Elba) and a faithfully bald Robotnik from obtaining a mystical emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations.
Sonic’s illustrious adversary has proven a perfect vehicle for Carrey’s comedic talents and manic energy. Naturally, the actor was expected to reprise the role of Robotnik in the previously announced Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Carrey since revealed that he’s considering retiring from acting following the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. However, producers seem confident Carrey will return for another film and, if he doesn’t, he’ll still always be Robotnik.
In a recent interview with IGN at a blue carpet event for Sonic the Hedgehog 2, producers Moritz and Ascher said they “wouldn’t even try” to recast the role of Dr. Robotnik if Carrey decides to retire. That said, the pair are still confident Carrey will return for the Sonic third installment. Read the full quote below:
“Jim Carrey is always a member of the Sonic family and he will always have a place in these movies and TV shows as long as he’d like to be around … We love Jim and he’s so special, and what he does with Robotnik is so incredible, we would love him as long as he would like to be there with us.”
“I have a feeling that he loves Robotnik so much that I don’t think he’ll be able to walk away from that.”
Given Robotnik’s prevalence in the Sonic canon, Carrey’s prospective retirement would certainly carry ramifications for the Sonic film series going into Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and beyond. In addition to a third film, Sega and Paramount have already announced plans for a spin-off series starring Elba’s Knuckles. Thankfully, Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s post-credits scene reveals Shadow the Hedgehog — whose extensive backstory could easily be the focus of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as he serves as a replacement for Robotnik. If the main villain in the Sonic video game franchise does bow out of live-action, other villains and/or rivals will have to step up.
Sonic the Hedgehog director Jeff Fowler has said that the films aren’t under any obligation to follow the games in terms of story. Nonetheless, Robotnik is indelibly ingrained in Sonic’s sense of nostalgia, and it’ll be difficult for the franchise to move on without Carrey, who has proven a highlight of both films. Still, plenty of other aspects of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 have been and are still being praised, especially considering their status as cursed video game adaptations. On top of that, nothing is stopping Carrey from being semi-retired. For now, fans can enjoy Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in theaters on April 8.
