Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the blue blur's greatest adventure, showing how far the hero has come since the first film. In the third entry, Sonic, Tails and Knuckles must face the threat of Shadow by forming an unlikely alliance with Doctor Robotnik. Alongside numerous returns Sonic cast members like Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter and Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves has joined the all-star roster to take on the role of Shadow.
Marsden and Sumpter play Tom and Maddie, a couple who, over the course of the three films, become adoptive parents to Sonic, Tails and Knuckles. As if raising a trio of powerful heroes wasn't difficult enough, the parents also had to contend with the evil Doctor Robotnik's plans for world domination. Now, in their latest adventure, Team Sonic will face their most dangerous threat: the powerful fugitive military experiment Shadow the Hedgehog, as well as Gerald Robotnik, Doctor Robotnik's grandfather, who has nefarious intentions of his own.
Screen speech interviewed James Marsden and Tika Sumpter to discuss what it's like being parents to a trio of hedgehogs, lessons learned from Sonic, and the potential return of Marsden's Cyclops.
Sonic is “exhausting” but rewarding for parents
Creating the blue hedgehog and empty nest syndrome in Sonic 3
Screen Speech: Sonic 2 I actually saw Tom and Maddie try to be meaningful parents to the blue hedgehog, with 3 really upping the stakes. How does this affect their approach to mentoring you?
James Marsden: The first film was more of a buddy comedy, really. They were more friends, and at the end of the first film, Tom and Maddie became his parents. His parents were more parental figures to him and continued to guide him, teaching him in the second film about, “Hey, you don't have to do everything by yourself. You always make us trust ourselves too. And now he's getting into his teenage years where he's really starting to spread his wings a little bit and feel more confident in himself.
Tika Sumpter: And use the advice that I feel like we instilled in him.
James Marsden: Yes. He really listens to us and of course we listen to him.
Tika Sumpter: And you see that happening on screen, him growing up and becoming more mature.
James Marsden: Except for the humor, it's still childish. [Laughs]
Now, Tika, your guys' characters have experienced classic empty nest syndrome. What have they been doing to keep busy? And can you talk about portraying this shift from involvement in Sonic's adventures to spending time alone?
Tika Sumpter: Yes. I think everyone is excited about empty nesting until it actually happens, and you think, “I'm missing something.” There is only so much time we can spend with each other.
James Marsden: On and off camera. [Laughs] He is [the interviewer] like, “Is he kidding?”
Tika Sumter: [Laughs] He's joking. Yes, I think we did our best to fill our time and do new things, but I think we thought, “Okay, what's next?” It's exciting that not only do we instill incredible heart and love in Sonic, but we also support him in every other way.
James Marsden: And let's face it, it's exhausting. He's an exhausting kid, it takes a lot of energy, so after he leaves, it's like, “Okay, thank God.” And then you start to miss him a little, right? You start to miss him.
Sonic taught Marsden and Sumpter to “loosen up”
Lessons learned from the blue hedgehog and some speculation about cyclops
Throughout the films, Maddie and Tom have imparted valuable lessons to Sonic, from being part of a family to learning to be a hero, and now teaching him the value of making the right choices. What did Tom and Maddie learn from Sonic? And what did you two learn from working at Sonic films?
James Marsden: I think, looking at it through the lens of being a parent, it's allowing them to make their mistakes and allowing them to have their own individuality and their own life. You are part of it, an integral part, and you will always have that connection in that safe place. But let them go, let them spread their wings and be on their own.
Tika Sumpter: Plus, life isn't that serious – it can be fun. I think he just brings a joy and a playfulness, that I feel like we, here, should be silly [Laughs] and have fun. For me, I think it rubbed off on us.
James Marsden: Yes. I think Sonic definitely taught Maddie to loosen up. [Laughs]
Now, James, Cyclops is my favorite superhero of all time. Literally my favorite superhero. Recently, Hugh Jackman returned to the role of Wolverine. Do you feel like putting your visor back on and playing Cyclops one more time?
James Marsden: Oh, man. I know so little about all this. I loved the movie Deadpool & Wolverine, it was great, and seeing Hugh back in that costume was great. I remember that experience with great affection and reverence for it all, and I loved playing that character. It was one of the highlights of my career, for sure. It was a joy, and I don't know what they're doing or what's going on with all of this, but it was always fun to put on that costume.
More about Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles and Tails come together against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they've ever faced. With their abilities surpassed in every way, Team Sonic must seek an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.
Check out our others Sonic the Hedgehog 3 interviews here:
Source: Screen Rant Plus