Keanu Reeves' dedication to his Sonic 3 character has me excited for one major reason about his shadow

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Shadow the Hedgehog pulls his fist back as he crackles with electricity in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. — Credit: Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc.

If there’s one thing I’m positively hyped about in the remaining months of the Movie schedule 2024it’s the return of Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends. Like the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 release date as we all count down to the December 20 release of Paramount’s latest sequel, the debut of Shadow the Hedgehog is even more fuel to the fandom fire. After learning a little more about Keanu Reeves’ dedication to the role of the Sonic adventure 2 antihero, I’m even more excited about the fact that this day is here, and for one important reason.

How Keanu Reeves’ dedication manifests itself in Sonic 3, says Jeff Fowler

A recent interview via the Twitch streamers on Sonic Rebellion had access to the minds and thoughts of Sonic3 director Jeff Fowler and co-producer Tyson Hesse. So when fans were given the chance to write questions they wanted answered, many spoilery questions were naturally included in the lot.

To be fair, Fowler took on the challenge like a champ, telling the livestream hosts that they could ask potential spoiler questions. Claiming that he could give a “very false answer” to such questions, Jeff Fowler provided an illuminating answer about the way Shadow the Hedgehog was handled. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 story; which began with this revelation:

It’s so great that we gave Keanu Reeves the voice of the character and he was so fantastic to work with. He loves the character, and he definitely understood what we were going for, and he was very excited to do his version of it. Like the whole cast, (he) really wants to do well and he really cares. He gave us so many different versions of line readings, and he just wanted to keep going. It wasn’t just showing up and reading the script into a microphone. He really wanted to create a very fan-faithful version of the character.

Teased in an ominous post-credits scene shown afterwards Sonic the Hedgehog 2 huge endingSince then, everyone has been looking forward to learning more about Shadow. The voice actor recruited to play the character was of particular interest to anyone following the saga, and many fans hoped so John Wick franchise legend would be the actor tasked with bringing him into the film Sonic cinematic universe.

Shadow the Hedgehog looks down angrily in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Keanu Reeves’ dedication didn’t stop at experimenting with his chilling dialogues like, “When we’re done, there won’t be anything left.” As Jeff Fowler further revealed herein Sonic the Hedgehog 3 chat, Reeves had clearly prepared for this undertaking from day one:

He did research. During our first meeting he had clearly started doing his homework, which was great. I can’t say enough wonderful things about Keanu and what he brought to the character, and the experience of making this film. I think people are really going to love his version of Shadow. It’s great.

Presumably this means that The Matrix alum passed it on or read it, Sonic Adventure 2 influences on Sonic3. If that statement is true, then I’m totally excited because the more you look at the character of Shadow, the more you can see how fitting it is that Keanu Reeves is playing him.

Shadow places his hand on the glass, matching a smiling Alyla Browne in Sonic The Hedgehog 3.

Why Keanu Reeves makes me even more excited to see Sonic 3

The short version of why Shadow the Hedgehog is such a tragic antihero is the fact that he suffered a loss that makes him a lot like John Wick. Shadow’s antagonistic nature is heavily shaped by the death of a dear friend, Maria (Alyla Browne), who happens to be Dr. Enter Eggman Sonic adventure 2 canon. While we don’t know how much of this fatal backstory will be captured in the movie version, we have seen her presence teased in the movie version. Sonic3 trailer.

Now that we have that event firmly in mind as we arrive at the house of expectation, it gives me a lot of confidence knowing that Keanu Reeves has done his homework. On the surface, Shadow’s character was sometimes seen as an easy punchline, and linking this knowledge to the delivery we heard in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 marketing convinces me that Mr. Reeves fully understands the character.

Knuckles, Sonic and Tails stand together in the jungle in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

That is especially important as a producer Toby Ascher’s thoughts on the post-Sonic3 future could include a Shadow the hedgehog similar to the Idris Elba in the lead role Knuckles. Because all our eyes are on the future of the Sonic cinematic franchise, I don’t think I’m the only fan eagerly awaiting December 22nd.

And if you’re just as excited about it Sonic the Hedgehog 3 As I am, you have to go to you Paramount+ subscription. With both previous ones Sonic movies and the whole thing Knuckles available for streaming, you can do your own homework to ensure you’re prepared for all the action, humor and drama to come.