Notice! Spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ahead!
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 included some moments to configure Sonic the Hedgehog 4. Overall, the future of this live-action franchise looks bright, as the 2024 film effectively took Team Sonic's story forward. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 had a happy and satisfying ending, but the two post-credit scenes planted the seeds of another sequel, both teasing that some supposedly deceased characters are still alive and creating new allies and villains. Add subtle references to more stories to tell Sonic 3and there's certainly a lot to look forward to in another sequel.
The latest live action Sonic the Hedgehog the film hits theaters on December 20, 2024, joining the two previous feature films and the Paramount+ spinoff series, Knuckles. Almost immediately after Sonic the Hedgehog 3Following the release, Paramount announced that a fourth film is already in the works, expected to hit theaters in 2027. Of course, given the events of Sonic 3That's not a big surprise. The live-action franchise is thriving, and the latest installment has done a spectacular job planting more seeds for the confirmed Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
6
Death of Dr. Robotnik (again)
Robotnik came back once – he can do it again
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the second film in the live-action franchise that ends with the supposed death of Dr. Robotnik. Back Sonic 2it was assumed that the evil villain was killed when his robot collapsed around him after Sonic used the Master Emerald. However, Doctor Eggman returned to the fight in Sonic 3initially teaming up with his rival hedgehog before turning against him to team up with his evil grandfather, Gerald Robotnik (also played by Jim Carrey).
Of course, Gerald ended up doing something bad, and Dr. Robotnik didn't want to die along with the rest of the world. His goal was normally to rule Earth, and his grandfather's plan to destroy everything and everyone didn't align with that. So, Carrey Sonic the Hedgehog villain sacrificed his life to save the planet. It was a fun twist for his character, but it means that, once again, Team Sonic believes they've seen the last of Dr. Robotnik/Eggman.
As Eggman is the overarching villain of Sonic franchise, it's doubtful he's actually dead – or, at the very least, gone for good. Instead, his sacrifice at the end of Sonic 3 it just further configures the events of Sonic 4. There are several moments in Sonic video games or anime that Doctor Eggman faked his own death or found bizarre ways to return, and one can certainly expect the same to happen in Sonic 4.
5
The return of the shadow
Shadow is also ready to return
While Dr. Robotnik's return is assumed but not confirmed, Shadow's death at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 It's a different story. Keanu Reeves joins the cast of the live-action film Sonic the franchise was certainly exciting news, especially since Shadow was the perfect character for the actor. However, Sonic 3 saw Shadow the Hedgehog sacrifice himself to reverse his and Gerald Robotnik's plan to destroy Earth. Sonic's decision to turn away from revenge inspired the new Sonic villain, but it seemed, for a moment, that this heroism would be his last action.
However, the post-credits scene in hedgehog shadow definitively proved that Shadow is not dead. He was seen walking into a crater and grabbing one of his inhibitor rings, which stifle his power to prevent dangerous consequences. He took them out before moving Gerald Robotnik's Earth-destroying weapon out of the way. The fact that he is alive and well enough to retrieve these rings indicates that he will return to Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
The fact that he is alive and well enough to retrieve these rings suggests that he will return for Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
This is a relief, but not a surprise. It would be a huge shock if Paramount brought in Reeves to voice this iconic Sonic the Hedgehog character, only to kill him off after a single film. The curious thing here is what Shadow will do next. Now that he has abandoned his desire for revenge after Maria's death, his path is unclear. Of course, deciding not to destroy the world doesn't necessarily mean Shadow will cooperate with GUN. This dark hedgehog will certainly be at the center of new conflicts to come Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
4
Amy Rose joined the fight
Sonic 3's post-credits scene featured Amy Rose
Shadow's return was just one of the post-credits scenes in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The other saw Sonic taking part in another family run through the forest, only to find himself much further from home than he initially intended. That's when he was suddenly attacked by a league of new (but familiar) villains (more on that later), and for a moment it looked like Sonic would be overwhelmed. At the right time, a hooded figure carrying a rather intense hammer appeared. This was, of course, Amy Rose, another hedgehog from Sonic franchise.
The live action Sonic The films slowly added more and more traditional video game and anime characters, starting with Knuckles and Tails in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Now, it looks like Amy Rose is next. Amy first entered the video game franchise in 1993 Sonic CD and became a playable character in 1998 Sonic Adventure. She possesses speed abilities similar to Sonic's. And she wields a powerful hammer that helps her in battle. Additionally, Amy tends to have a huge crush on Sonic.
THE Sonic the Hedgehog 3 post-credits scene demonstrates how capable Amy Rose is with her hammer, hinting that she will continue to be an asset to Team Sonic going into Sonic the Hedgehog 4. Amy and Sonic don't exchange words in their quick scene together, so the next chapter will certainly explore their friendship going forward.
Sonic 3's ending brought another iconic villain
Metal Sonic is another big reveal from Sonic the Hedgehog 3first post-credits scene. After Sonic believed he had won the family race, he suddenly found himself surrounded by dozens of robots, each of which looked like a metallic version of himself. Naturally, this first inspired some jokes from Sonic, but it quickly became clear that these robots were too much for him to handle alone. That's when Amy Rose stepped in and helped save the day, but the implication here is that this won't be the end of these Metal Sonics.
The ending of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 didn't reveal where this army of Metal Sonics came from, so this is sure to be a big mystery at the beginning of Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
Metal Sonic is typically considered to be Sonic's most powerful opponent in the Sonic universe, and he is canonically a creation of Dr. Robotnik– another clue that Carrey's Eggman isn't dead after all. The end of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 hasn't revealed where this army of Metal Sonics came from, so this is sure to be a big mystery at the beginning of Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Metal Sonic debuting in live-action Sonic the Hedgehog franchise at the same time as Amy Rose is another intriguing aspect of this post-credits scene. Like Amy, this villain first appeared in the video game Sonic CD. Metal Sonic kidnapped Amy, and Sonic and his friends were tasked with rescuing her. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 bringing these characters together could be a hint that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will be inspired by the 1993 video game.
2
The Café Chao
Chaos is officially part of the Live-Action franchise
Long before Sonic the Hedgehog 3In the post-credits scenes, there was another potential setup for a future sequel. After landing in Japan to face Shadow, Team Sonic sat down to eat at Chao Cafe. Adorably decorated with people dressed as Chao, this cafe was yet another reference to the Sonic universe. Chao are goblin-like beings that frequently appear in Sonic games, having first appeared in Sonic Adventure (the first game in which Amy Rose was a playable character). While they are sometimes lovable companions, they connect closely with essential plot points.
There were never any real Chao in Sonic the Hedgehog 3just people in costumes and images decorating the walls of the cafe. However, the live-action franchise's reference to these beings is intriguing, especially considering that the Master Emerald was hidden on Earth in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. In the canon, the Chao was initially led by a deity called Chaosguardian of the Chaos Emeralds. After an attack by the Echidna tribe, Chaos was sealed in the Master Emerald.
It's hard to say how this all fits into the live action Sonic version of the franchise canon. However, the fact that both the Master Emerald and the lovely Chaos were features of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies imply that all of this can come into play. Perhaps Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will reveal where the inspiration for Chao Cafe in Japan came from—There may even be a real Chao colony hidden somewhere on Earthaimless without its leader.
1
The return of the master emerald
The Master Emerald will certainly continue to be fundamental
The Master Emerald was introduced in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 as the main goal of Kunckles the Echidna and Dr. It was eventually revealed that Sonic could use the Master Emerald to become Super Sonic, but this is a power that the gang decided was too much to safely wield again. Of course, Sonic threw that out the window Sonic the Hedgehog 3when he first used the Master Emerald to get revenge on Shadow, then turned around and used its power (along with Super Shadow) to save Earth from Gerald Robotnik's terrible scheme.
Perhaps Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will see Dr. Robotnik break the Master Emerald, thus releasing the villain Chaos.
It is assumed that the Master Emerald is hidden again after the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. However, the fact that was quickly brought back into the game after Team Sonic promised never to use it again indicates that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will again feature the Master Emerald. This is further supported by the third Sonic The film's reference to the Chao, who share a connection with this powerful stone. Perhaps Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will see Dr. Robotnik shatter the Master Emerald, thus releasing the villain Chaos – of course, only time will tell.