Sonic The Hedgehog 3’s Villain Copies The Same Casting Trick That Made Sonic 1 & 2 So Good

Keanu Reeves has been cast to play Shadow as the main antagonist of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and it continues a great villain casting trick from the first two movies in this franchise. Set to be released on December 20, 2024, the Sonic threequel will follow up on a tease from the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. That movie’s mid-credits scene took audiences to a secret G.U.N. research facility, where Project Shadow was underway. The scene didn’t reveal who would play Shadow, but the recent casting announcement was worth the wait.

The first two Sonic films were wildly entertaining blockbusters, so Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was already an exciting prospect. But the revelation that Shadow will be voiced by John Wick himself has made it even more highly anticipated. Reeves will bring a degree of star power to the threequel – and he’s not the first Sonic movie villain to do so. Every previous villain casting in this franchise has brought A-list star power to the proceedings. It seems to be working pretty well so far, so they might as well keep it going with Reeves playing the baddie in Sonic 3.

Keanu Reeves As Shadow Continues Sonic The Hedgehog’s Surprising Villain Casting Trend

Reeves’ casting as Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continues the franchise’s trend of casting surprisingly big-name actors to play its villains. Jim Carrey played Dr. Robotnik in the first one and undoubtedly brought more attention to the film than it would’ve had otherwise. This tradition continued with the casting of Idris Elba as Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Now, the franchise has copied that casting trick a third time by bringing in Reeves to play Shadow in Sonic 3. The producers are three for three on getting some of the world’s biggest stars to play their movies’ villains.

Both Carrey and Elba really elevated their respective movies, and the franchise overall. The first two Sonic the Hedgehog movies are serviceable action comedies, but their A-list stars are the main draw. Audiences turned up in droves to see the first Sonic movie because it promised Carrey in mustache-twirling Riddler mode. They turned up for the second movie for the hilarious juxtaposition of the rich, brooding voice of Elba booming out of a red echidna. In both cases, the villains didn’t disappoint – and Reeves’ casting as Shadow keeps that going.

Why Keanu Reeves Is Perfect For Sonic The Hedgehog 3’s Shadow

While it might initially seem a little odd – not that Reeves would be offered the role of Shadow, but that he would accept it – he’s actually the perfect casting choice for this role. Elba’s role as Knuckles worked so well because he played the part totally straight and allowed deadpan laughs to rise naturally out of an echidna warrior who takes himself deadly seriously despite being a goofy video game character. Reeves can bring the same deadpan hilarity to the role of Shadow in Sonic 3.

It’s rare that Reeves has played a villainous role. He previously played against type as Donnie Barksdale in The Gift and Don John in Much Ado About Nothing, but he typically plays heroic roles like Neo and Johnny Utah (or antiheroes like Wick). That makes his casting as Shadow in Sonic 3 a novelty – enough of a novelty to catch the attention of moviegoers who otherwise might not have been interested in a Sonic movie. Reeves will play the role with absolute sincerity, which will elevate the threequel in the same way that Carrey and Elba elevated the last two.

Keanu Reeves’ Casting Proves Sonic The Hedgehog’s Franchise Power Is Growing

Reeves is arguably the biggest star that the Sonic movie franchise has attracted so far. After the career renaissance he earned with the iconic John Wick series, Reeves is more sought-after than ever before. He’s in so much demand in Hollywood that he can pretty much have any role he wants. The fact that he’s accepted the role of Shadow in Sonic 3 is a clear-as-day sign that the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise has become quite a formidable force.

The first Sonic film managed to make a boatload right at the outbreak of COVID and the second one was even more successful. The producers’ ability to get Reeves to play the villain in the third movie just confirms that this is one of the biggest and most popular movie franchises right now. If Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is big enough for Reeves, it’s big enough for just about anyone.