
Keanu Reeves has opened up about his experience voicing Shadow in the highly anticipated Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The Hollywood star reflected on embracing the complexities of the character, describing the process as deeply personal and emotionally resonant.
Reeves shared that his portrayal of Shadow stemmed from a place of empathy, interpreting the antagonist’s inner turmoil and loss. “Playing Shadow has been very special for me. I read the script as his internal struggle, and I felt sorry for him,” he said. “He’s lost the one person he cared about and spent 50 years in suspended animation.”
The John Wick star delved into Shadow’s motivations, acknowledging the character’s thirst for vengeance against G.U.N., the organization he holds responsible for Maria’s death. “He’s understandably angry and knows how to get his revenge. But ultimately, his heart is still the same. I tried to find the beautiful spirit that Shadow is,” Reeves added.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 sees Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite to confront Shadow, a formidable new adversary whose powers outmatch them in every way. Faced with the ultimate threat, the trio must form an unexpected alliance to stand a chance of saving the planet.
Idris Elba, returning as the voice of Knuckles, also spoke about reprising his role. Elba humorously revealed that he has finally perfected the pronunciation of “Echidna.” “It feels great to be back as Knuckles. I love playing him because he’s such an icon,” Elba remarked.
Brimming with action, high-stakes adventure, and the charm of the beloved franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 promises to deliver an exhilarating ride for fans. The film is set for release in cinemas on January 3, 2025, in both 2D and 4Dx formats.