A certain pink hedgehog will join Sonic and friends in the next instalment of Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise, and director Jeff Fowler is doubling down on the tease. In a social media post announcing the start of production, the filmmaker is seen holding a clapperboard in one hand and the hammer associated with Amy Rose in the other.
“Ready 4 Action,” reads the caption. “#SonicMovie4 is now filming.”
The character was first revealed in the post-credits of the threequel, with Kristen Bell, best known for voicing Anna in Disney’s Frozen movies, stepping into the role in Sonic the Hedgehog 4, which returns to theatres on 19 March 2027, before the theatrical debut of another untitled project in late 2028.
Alongside Amy, the forthcoming adventure is also set to introduce Metal Sonic, with Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher and Toru Nakahara returning as producers. Story details remain under wraps, but Fowler previously shared more information about what the future holds for the two characters.
“We actually had the idea pretty early, during storyboarding,” he explained, “[We wanted] to honour how they were both introduced in Sonic the Hedgehog CD. So it felt very cool to honour that chronology and have them simultaneously introduced.”
“We never want to feel like we’re making the same movie. It’s always got to take us into new territory tonally, and offer up something new, and give people a reason that they have to get out and see it,” added Fowler.
Released in 2024, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 became the highest-grossing entry in the adaptation of SEGA’s video game series with a global haul of US$492 million. It saw Jim Carrey taking on dual roles as Dr Robotnik and his grandfather, and introduced audiences to Shadow, the brooding antihero voiced by Keanu Reeves. Ben Schwartz reprised his role as the titular speedster, alongside Idris Alba as Knuckles, Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Tails, James Marsden as the sheriff and Sonic’s father figure, Tom Wachowski, and more.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 races to the silver screen on 19 March 2027.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
