We finally know who will be voicing Shadow in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and it’s reportedly a big name: Keanu Reeves.
The news comes from a THR report today, which says multiple sources have confirmed the casting to the outlet. IGN has reached out to Paramount Pictures and Reeves’ reps for comment.
As news has slowly trickled out about the upcoming sequel, the question of who would be playing Shadow the Hedgehog has easily been one of the biggest ones. And fittingly, the reveal comes just a few days after Sega dubbed 2024 “Fearless: Year of Shadow” in anticipation of Sonic x Shadow Generations, in addition to Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
Reeves joins returning cast members James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Lee Majdoub, Idris Elba, and Jim Carrey (something of a surprise, as Carrey previously said he was seriously considering retiring from acting after Sonic the Hedgehog 2). Krysten Ritter, Alyla Browne, James Wolk, Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernández, and Jorma Taccone will also be joining the cast.
It’s another big franchise for John Wick’s Reeves, as well as yet another video game connection for the actor who played Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2077 (funny enough, his Sonic co-star Elba starred in Cyberpunk 2077 expansion Phantom Liberty). Reeves has been dabbling more in voice work in recent years too, having voiced Batman in 2022’s DC League of Super-Pets and Duke Caboom in Toy Story 4.
The Sonic the Hedgehog movies have been gradually introducing the most beloved characters of the franchise to Paramount’s film series, with Tails and Knuckles joining the fray in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Elba’s portrayal of the latter was such a hit that the echidna is getting his own series on Paramount+ later this month.
Warning: Spoiler for the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 below.
The highly anticipated addition of Shadow was teased in the post-credits scene of Sonic 2, and there’s little doubt that he’ll have a big role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Browne recently confirmed that she’ll be playing Maria Robotnik, a key character in Shadow’s backstory, in Sonic 3.
We’ll learn a whole lot more when Sonic the Hedgehog 3 debuts in theaters on December 20, 2024.
Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.