Top Insights from Sonic the Hedgehog 3's Debut Trailer

• Keanu Reeves' Shadow the Hedgehog is the main villain in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
• Maria Robotnik's backstory with Shadow is explored in the movie.
• Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles team up with Doctor Robotnik to fight Shadow.
• Shadow causes a citywide power outage in Tokyo.
• Chao creatures appear in the films for the first time.

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We finally got a trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and it looks like it's drawing heavily from Sonic Adventure 2's story.

Keanu Reeves' Shadow the Hedgehog is the main villain this time, with Jim Carrey's Doctor Robotnik seemingly teaming up with Sonic to tackle a planet-wide threat.

Let's break down the 3-minute video and see what we can glean.

Tragic Parallels of Sonic and Shadow

In the live-action movies, Sonic has a sad backstory that mirrors Shadow's in the games.

Sonic was chased away from his home and sent away by Longclaw, his owl caretaker, for his safety.

If Sonic the Hedgehog 3 follows Shadow's origin story closely, he has a similar moment that turns him towards chaos and destruction.

James Marsden's Tom Wachowski talks to Sonic about not letting that tragedy change him.

Commander Walters compares Sonic and Shadow, pointing out that Sonic found friends and family while Shadow has no one.

Shadow's Power

Throughout the trailer, we see Shadow breaking out of a stasis pod and fighting GUN agents.

Commander Walters asks Sonic and his friends for help as conventional weapons aren't enough to subdue Shadow.

Shadow seems to be using his abilities right out of his pod, but it's unclear if he will use a Chaos Emerald as he does in the games.

Maria and Shadow

Alyla Browne joins the live-action cast as Maria Robotnik, Doctor Robotnik's cousin and granddaughter of Doctor Gerald Robotnik, Shadow's creator.

In the games, Shadow was created to find a cure for Maria's deadly illness, and they bonded on a space colony.

Maria was tragically killed, which imbues Shadow with a vengeful rage.

The trailer suggests this backstory will be explored in the movie.

Sonic and Friends

We see Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles doing fun things with their human parents, Tom and Maddie.

Shadow needs a loving hand to show him there's another way, so he too can race in a forest instead of causing chaos.

Tails' Flying Skills

Miles "Tails" Prower is a known pilot and was seen flying the Tornado plane in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

The trailer shows him flying a helicopter over Tokyo as they search for Shadow.

Shadow vs. Team Sonic

When Sonic and company face Shadow, they try to reason with him first.

Knuckles interjects that he would like to fight Shadow, leading to a confrontation where Shadow overpowers them.

The Donut Lord in Danger

Tom, the human lead, might be in danger as Shadow wreaks havoc.

Could we see a major death in Sonic the Hedgehog 3?

The Gang Captured

Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are seen tied up as a black-and-red vortex forms above them.

Is Shadow creating a black hole to destroy the planet?

Agent Stone Returns

Lee Majdoub returns as Agent Stone, Doctor Robotnik's assistant.

Our heroes meet up with Stone in front of a mobile base.

Eggman's Transformation

Jim Carrey returns as Doctor Robotnik, who has let himself go since the last movie.

His hair is grown out, his beard is unkempt, and he's gained weight.

Sonic and Robotnik Team Up

Shadow is too big a threat, so Team Sonic turns to their worst enemy for backup.

Stone helps Robotnik get back into fighting form, and Robotnik decides to save the world if he can't rule it.

Tokyo Setting

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is called Sonic X Shadow Tokyo Mission in Japan, with parts of the film taking place in Tokyo.

We see Shadow causing a citywide power outage, including shots of Shibuya.

Shadow's Motorcycle

In his 2005 game, Shadow rode various vehicles, and the movie pays homage to this with a motorcycle scene.

No sign of firearms, as Sega is distancing him from guns.

Chao Appearances

Chao, adorable alien creatures, appear in the films for the first time.

They seem to be mascots in a restaurant where Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are present.

Akira Reference

Shadow does the Akira motorcycle slide, a timeless reference.

Shadow's Cool Factor

The final shot shows Shadow launching into the sky on his motorcycle and clashing with Sonic.

Gerald Robotnik Alive

The stinger shows Carrey also playing Gerald Robotnik, who is alive in the movies.

In the games, Gerald is long gone by the time Shadow reawakens.

Gerald was the secret villain of Sonic Adventure 2, and it's curious to see how Sonic 3 handles this storyline.

Sadly, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 seems to omit Rouge the Bat and Amy Rose, key players in the Sonic Adventure 2 story.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 premieres on December 20.