In live-action/hybrid movie news from the Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon, advance footage from the SEGA game-inspired sequel Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was shared. The next adventure for the blue blur will speed into theaters on December 20.
This early look spotlighted Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), wallowing in his back-to-back defeats in the first two movies, consigned to his room without the will to tidy up his takeout containers or trim his iconic mustache. Of course, reports from a henchman that Sonic has been located once again spurs Robotnik out of funk! Joining the cast of characters is fan-favorite antagonist Shadow the hedgehog (voice actor TBA), at Robotnik’s side for the third movie. The clip also showed Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) preparing to face off with the new baddie.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 also welcomes back James Marsden, joined by Tika Sumpter, Lee Majdoub, Tom Butler and Alyla Browne. The threequel is once again directed by Jeff Fowler.
Fans of the franchise will want to tune in to Paramount+ for the Knuckles miniseries, which is set between the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and 3. Voice starring Idris Elba, the six-episode show premieres April 26 on the streamer.
Paramount also announced that fan-favorite graphic novel miniseries Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin is getting a big screen adaptation, joining the $1.3 billion film franchise. The live-action project will be the Turtles’ first R-rated movie, and is being written by Tyler Burton Smith (Boy Kills Worlds, Child’s Play [2019]) and produced by former DC Studios head Walter Hamada through his 18hz banner, as part of his multi-year deal with the studio.
The Last Ronin comics were written by TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz, based on an older story conceived by Eastman and co-creator Peter Laird. The series synopsis, per IDW:
Who is the Last Ronin? In a future, battle-ravaged New York City, a lone surviving Turtle embarks on a seemingly hopeless mission seeking justice for the family he lost. From legendary TMNT co-creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, get ready for the final story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles three decades in the making! What terrible events destroyed his family and left New York a crumbling, post-apocalyptic nightmare? All will be revealed in this climactic Turtle tale that sees longtime friends becoming enemies and new allies emerging in the most unexpected places. Can the surviving Turtle triumph?
The new project announcement follows the $180 million global box office reception for the animated feature Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (which will get a sequel in 2026). No release window has been set for The Last Ronin movie.
[Sources: Collider, Deadline]
