Sonic the Hedgehog 3 director Jeff Fowler reveals the first piece of Shadow the Hedgehog concept art developed for the movie that’s also a key part of his origin story. The third feature in Paramount’s hit adaptation of Sega’s beloved video game series sees Ben Schwartz’s blue speedster and his found family come face to face with the powerful black-and-red hedgehog known as Shadow, forcing them to join forces with former foes. Alongside returning stars Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, and Jim Carrey, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 features Keanu Reaves’ debut as Shadow the Hedgehog.
With less than a month until the Ultimate Lifeform makes his big-screen debut in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Fowler shared a glimpse behind the scenes of the movie on his personal Twitter account. The director shared a piece of concept art that sees Shadow awaken in a tank before his closest friend, Maria (to be played by Alyla Browne), with a far less angered look than what he has been seen with in most promotional trailers. Alongside the artwork, which can be seen below, Fowler stated that the piece was the first concept work developed for the movie, and that it helped emphasize the emotional core of the story:
What Fowler’s Concept Art Reveal Means For Sonic The Hedgehog 3
Maria’s Fate Left A Permanent Mark On Shadow
Introduced alongside Shadow in 2001’s Sonic Adventure 2, Maria is the closest friend the hedgehog has ever had, playing a key role in his creation. While they would develop a close bond, Maria would lose her life at the hands of a GUN agent, leading to Shadow embarking on a quest for vengeance against the whole of humanity. Though time would change Shadow, and he would open up to others again as he became more heroic, Sonic x Shadow Generations and Shadow the Hedgehog would show that she would still hold a place in his heart to this day.
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While more elements and plot points from Sonic Adventure 2 have appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s latest trailer, it is still somewhat unclear how the movie will handle the story. Fowler has hinted that there will be some deviations in how her tale is depicted to better fit the format. However, while her cause of death may change, it is clear from Fowler’s comments that the story will still be faithful to its video-game counterpart.
Our Thoughts On Fowler’s Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Concept Art Tease
Shadow’s Debut Will Change The Movie Series’ Tone
For those familiar with the character through his movie series, many may not be ready to see the darker turn Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has up its sleeve. Its source material marked a stark shift in how the franchise would handle its narrative, with Shadow being developed as an anti-hero with a tragic past from the start. As such, it can be expected that his big-screen debut will similarly shake up the movie franchise.
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For longtime fans, however, many will be curious to see how Shadow and Maria’s tragedy fits into the world of the movie series. Though her fate may have been sealed, the execution of the moment could make or break the tone of the movie for many in whether it lives up to the video game continuity’s events. However, with Fowler stating that the pair’s tragedy was a core consideration of Sonic the Hedgehog 3′s earliest developments, it is clear he understands the weight her role brings to Shadow’s journey.
Source: Jeff Fowler/Twitter
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the sequel to the 2022 comedy-adventure movie that featured the Blue Blur and his companions on an adventure to stop Dr. Robotnik from taking over the world. The new film sees the new antagonist Shadow the Hedgehog, arriving to cause trouble for the newly formed trio of heroes, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, as they adjust to their earthly lives.
- Director
- Jeff Fowler
- Release Date
- December 20, 2024
- Studio(s)
- Sega Sammy Group , Original Film , Marza Animation Planet , Blur Studio
- Distributor(s)
- Paramount Pictures
- Writers
- Pat Casey , Josh Miller , John Whittington
- Runtime
- 109 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Adventure
