Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS ahead for Sonic Adventure 2 (2001), the game which Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) will be based on!
Summary
Sonic the Hedgehog 3is going to be focused on Shadow’s backstory, but the upcoming movie’s perfect final boss could add a genius twist to a 1998 game antagonist.Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s post-credits scenerevealedShadow was being held in a government black site, setting the stage for his involvement in the story of the next installment. WithSonic the Hedgehog 3’s releaseon June 13, 2025, it won’t be long until more definitive information is revealed about the new movie. This will likely include what to expect from its story and characters.
It was previously revealed the next movie will be pulling elements from Shadow’s debut game, 2001’sSonic Adventure 2, indicating plenty of familiar elements are going to be involved.Shadow’s connection to Maria Robotnikhas already been confirmed, with Alyla Browne cast as the young girl aboard Space Colony ARK. It’s safe to assume Gerald Robotnik, Shadow’s creator, will also make an appearance. However,there’s one villain from a different game who could also appear, since he’s been hinted at before in the previous twoSonicmovies.
Knuckles’ Weirdest Scene Secretly Rewrote A Major Sonic The Hedgehog Villain’s Backstory
The weirdest scene in Knuckles secretly rewrote a major Sonic the Hedgehog villain’s backstory, possibly keeping them from appearing in the movies.
Sonic 1 & 2 Teased Chaos Is Coming Soon
Both existing films in the franchise have hinted thatChaos, the main villain from 1998’sSonic Adventure, could be coming to the movie universe soon.DuringSonic the Hedgehog, it was revealed the Echidnas were hunting Sonic due to his powers, although it remains unclear what their full motives were. This is becauseSonic the Hedgehog 2reveals they were also after Longclaw for the location of the Master Emerald. However, Knuckles' tribe ended up vanishing that day, indicating something terrible happened to them the movies have yet to address.
While a multitude ofSonic the Hedgehogvillainscould be responsible for the disappearance of Knuckles' people, the game lore reveals Chaos had been sealed inside the Master Emerald long ago. However, theend ofSonic the Hedgehog 2reveals the Chaos Emeralds are inside it for the movies, meaningChaos could still be elsewhere in the film universe.With his location unknown but his presence thoroughly hinted at, the monstrous opponent could easily show up in the next movie. One way he could is by replacing a pre-existing villain from Shadow’s debut game.
Chaos Could Replace The Biolizard On Space Colony ARK
His New Story Could Better Connect Sonic’s World & Earth
InSonic Adventure 2, it’s revealed one of Gerald’s first creations aboard Space Colony ARK was the Biolizard, a giant monster originally the prototype for Project Shadow. It becomes the final twist threat in the game, with Sonic and Shadow teaming up to defeat it. However, it’s possible that,given how many hints there have been about Chaos in the movies, the villain could replace the Biolizard as a twist villain.This would give payoff to hints of his appearance while making for a surprising end to the upcoming film.
Chaos also has connections tothe Chaos Emeralds, collecting them in the games to grow stronger over time. With the Emeralds scattered to parts unknown in the movie universe, the film could involve Shadow trying to collect them. If the Emeralds are involved in the third movie’s plot, then they could be used to power Chaos, making him the perfect surprise threat for Sonic and his friends to take down.It would also maintain faithfulness to his abilities in the games while giving him a new backstory,merging bothSonic Adventuregames into one massive story.
Why Chaos Needs To Appear In The Sonic Movies (Even If It’s After Sonic 3)
His Appearance Has Been Hinted At Too Much Not To Happen
At the same time, though, the Biolizard is still a classic final boss fromSonic Adventure 2, meaning it’s likely to appear in the new movie, regardless of the potential Chaos has. Even so,Chaos should still appear in the movie universe at some pointgiven his connection to the Master Emerald in the games. He can also be used to explain what happened to Knuckles' people, perhaps in a movie solely focused on him as the main villain. Either way, there should be future payoff for him given how much he’s been hinted at so far.
But, even though he could appear in the future instead, Chaos would still be a perfect twist villain to show up on the ARK inSonic the Hedgehog 3. The fact he would be paying off setup from previous movies coupled with how surprising his appearance would be meansit could be an interesting remix of bothAdventuregames.It could also add a stronger connection between Earth and Sonic’s world by having an entity like him be part of Project Shadow. Perhaps major changes are in order for the story when it arrives.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3will also be pulling inspiration from 2005’sShadow the Hedgehog.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Cast
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reunites Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails as they face a formidable new adversary, Shadow. With Shadow’s unprecedented powers posing a significant threat, Team Sonic seeks an unexpected alliance to thwart his plans and safeguard the planet.
