Summary
TheSonic the Hedgehogfranchise has been on a winning streak in the past year thanks to the release of two major installments:KnucklesandSonic the Hedgehog 3. It should come as no surprise that Paramount quickly announced that a fourthSonic the Hedgehogfilm was in development, and now it finally has a release date.
TheSonicfranchise is one that gamers have been familiar with since SEGA released the first entry in its mascot platformer series in 1991. With video game adaptations becoming something of a trend in Hollywood, Paramount Pictures soon snapped up the rights to Sonic and released a live-action film featuring the blue hedgehog in 2020. Ben Schwartz leads the franchise as the voice of Sonic, withJim Carrey playing his nemesis Dr. Eggman. Familiar characters from the games have been introduced throughout each entry, with Knuckles (Idris Elba), Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessy), and Shadow (Keanu Reeves) making their debut in the two most recent films.
This article contains spoilers forSonic the Hedgehog 3.
Shortly beforeSonic the Hedgehog 3’srelease in cinemas last December, Paramount announced it had given thegreen light to a fourth filmwhich was set to debut in 2027.Varietyhas since confirmed an exact release date for the film, which is Jul 22, 2025. While this date is still some time away, rumors suggest thefourthSonicfilm is on the fast trackfor development, This makes sense givenSonic the Hedgehog 3recently became the highest-grossing film in the trilogy, helping to push the franchise past a collective $1 billion at the box office, and signaling audiences are hungry for moreSoniccontent.
No cast or crew has been confirmed as yet for the fourthSonic the Hedgehogfilm, but Jeff Fowler has been the director of all three of Paramount’sSonicfilms and seems like the logical choice to return. It can be assumed that leads including Schwartz, Elba, O’Shaughnessy, James Marsden, and Tika Sumpter will be back for more as well. It’s unclear whether Carrey will return for more after his character’s apparent demise inSonic 3. However, the actor did say inan interview during the recent press tourthat he is “open to the idea” of returning for a fourth movie.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Will Introduce Exciting New Characters
Some new characters who will be joining the action inSonic the Hedgehog 4are Metal Sonic and Amy Rose, two major characters from the games who were set up in thethird movie’s post-credits scenes. Anticipation is high to see how the two new characters will be utilized in the next movie and who may end up voicing them. Both characters were initially introduced inSonic CDin 1993, which has led to a popular theory thatSonic 4may adapt other elements of that game and potentially introduce the Time Stones. Unfortunately, fans will have to wait a couple more years to find out asSonic the Hedgehog 4is still in early development.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4is scheduled to release on July 08, 2025.
