The Knuckles Show Just Made Keanu Reeves’ Shadow The Hedgehog Casting Even Better

The following contains spoilers for Knuckles, now streaming on Paramount+

Knuckles includes a sly reference to Keanu Reeves, highlighting how excited the creatives behind the franchise clearly are to bring Reeves to the universe as Shadow. Knuckles largely operates outside the larger plot beats of Sonic the Hedgehog. While Sonic briefly appears early in the series and Knuckles faces off with dangerous former agents of GUN and Doctor Robotnik, much of the plot is rooted in the human characters of Knuckles and their personal growth into better people.

However, a detour in their adventure does have a reference to another film among several Sonic the Hedgehog easter eggs in the show. It turns out that Wade and Sonic share a love for action films starring Keanu Reeves, recalling the early years of the actor’s career. Given Keanu Reeves’ upcoming involvement in the franchise in the role of Shadow, these easter eggs might carry a bit more weight than fans initially believed.

Wade Is A Big Keanu Reeves Fan In Knuckles

Wade’s Movie Posters Include A Reference To Speed

The third episode of Knuckles, “The Shabbat Dinner,” quietly reveals that Wade is a big fan of Keanu Reeves’ action films, which could be a fun indicator of how Sonic the Hedgehog 3 intends to use Shadow in contrast to Sonic. After Agent Mason and Agent Willoughby set a bounty on Wade in an effort to locate Knuckles, the pair are forced to hide in Wade’s childhood home. While in Wade’s bedroom, Knuckles notices the numerous movie posters that line the wall. This includes a poster of Speed, which starred Keanu Reeves alongside Sandra Bullock and Dennis Hopper.

When Knuckles was being produced, this was potentially intended as a sly reference to the heroes of 1980s and 1990s cinema. Other posters on his wall include Robocop, The Big Lebowski, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. However, the news that Keanu Reeves will be playing Shadow in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 adds a layer of cheeky foreshadowing to the poster’s inclusion. It’s also not the first time the cinematic Sonic the Hedgehog characters have referenced Speed and Keanu Reeves’ starring role in the film.

Knuckles’ Speed Poster Is The Franchise’s Second Keanu Reeves Reference

The Sonic the Hedgehog Series Really Loves Speed

While Wade’s age suggests he has been a fan of Keanu Reeves for years, the first film in the series proved that Sonic also developed a quick appreciation for the actor. In Sonic the Hedgehog, while secretly watching films from outside Tom’s window, Sonic becomes incredibly excited when he realizes that Speed is on. He calls Keanu Reeves a “national treasure” and is able to recite dialogue, hinting at a true passion for the movie. On one level, it makes sense why Sonic would love a film about maintaining high speeds that has snappy dialogue and jokes.

Given the casting of Reeves as Shadow, these little references now feel like portents of his involvement in the franchise. The idea that Speed is the definitive Keanu Reeves film within the Sonic the Hedgehog universe feels particularly fitting, given the frequent use of action and quips in both. There’s also a clear reliance on speed in intense moments. This all stands out because of the way Shadow is typically portrayed elsewhere. By contrast, the focus on Speed could quietly tease one of the ways the cinematic Shadow will be different.

Keanu Reeves’ Shadow The Hedgehog Casting Just Keeps Betting Better

Keanu Reeves’ Shadow Will Be An Ideal Contrast To Sonic

In films like Speed, Keanu Reeves played a determined and quietly snarky character. Over the years though, Reeves’ performances have leaned more physical and less dependent on dialogue. This can perhaps best be seen in the John Wick franchise, where the actor’s purposefully dry and blunt readings contrasted against the more flamboyant or stylish characters he came up against. The more recent performances will feel more in line with how Shadow is usually portrayed, a self-serious and overly dramatic character.

However, the clear love that creatives behind Sonic the Hedgehog and Knuckles have for a certain kind of Keanu Reeves performance could hint at a more fun take on Shadow. While Shadow will likely remain a dramatic contrast to Sonic, this appreciation for a snarky and fun Keanu Reeves character could hint that the dynamic could be more funny than melodramatic. It could even come around fully if Wade or Sonic notice the similarity in Shadow’s speaking voice to one of their big-screen heroes. Knuckles continues to set up Keanu Reeves as a great cinematic take on Shadow.