Unquestionably, one of many highlights of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the looks of Keanu Reeves — albeit within the type of Sonic’s primary rival, Shadow the Hedgehog. Whereas working with the famend motion film star, Sonic franchise writers Josh Miller and Pat Casey could not resist slipping in a number of homages to Reeves’ previous initiatives — however one reference specifically did not fairly make the reduce.
Reeves has beforehand appeared because the star of two main franchises even earlier than his transformation into the final word lifeform: the Matrix trilogy and the seemingly endless John Wick collection. With such a formidable resume, it is no surprise that Miller and Casey wished to reference these iconic works. Chatting with CinemaBlend, the writers mentioned the 2 Easter eggs they managed to drag off — in addition to the one they did not.
“It did not make the film, however we have been positively tempted to [ask], ‘Is there a manner we will get Shadow to say, like, ‘Weapons, a lot of weapons?’ He is already mentioned that in two different franchises, simply to actually carry it ahead”
As for the opposite references, they might have appeared somewhat extra refined. Director Jeff Fowler was additionally pondering of Reeves’ different roles, and particularly wished to reference John Wick: Chapter 2 when he crafted the scene the place Shadow walks by means of pouring rain towards a neon Tokyo backdrop. The second Easter egg, a nod to the Matrix trilogy, was even more durable to identify. Throughout that very same Tokyo battle, Shadow’s supposedly ending transfer has him rocketing in the direction of the bottom in a way similar to Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) within the climactic struggle of The Matrix Revolutions.
Balancing Easter Eggs and Leisure Is No Simple Job
These Easter eggs may not seem significantly vital given the depths of Sonic lore and all of the references that would have occurred. However Miller and Casey said that the homages to Reeves occurred naturally through the manufacturing course of, whereas different cameos obtained intensive planning earlier than ultimately being reduce.
“[About] throwing in nods, I do not really feel prefer it was ever mentioned,” Miller shared. “I feel it simply form of began taking place organically, after which particularly as soon as he agreed to do it.” Casey added: “I imply so far as him hitting sure poses, poses from different Keanu franchises, that is these board artists are at all times slipping these issues in.”
In accordance with Fowler, lots of the different Easter eggs have been reduce with a purpose to maintain the concentrate on Shadow. For instance, a rumored Rouge the Bat look by no means got here to fruition because of the quantity of display time Shadow’s backstory required, whereas a short cameo from Large the Cat was reduce early on within the storyboarding course of. Though these sorts of references are likely to evoke worthwhile nostalgia from longtime followers, Fowler emphasised the significance of conserving the movie balanced, slightly than giving in to fan service.
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‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ is already an intense entry within the movie collection, however one character’s destiny nearly made it even darker.
Nevertheless, with Sonic the Hedgehog 4 formally on the way in which, followers can positively count on at the least a number of new faces. The post-credits scene for Sonic 3 has already teased the introduction of Amy Rose, which is good news for viewers hoping to catch a break from the all-male forged. Within the meantime, Sonic 3 continues to be having fun with a record-breaking theatrical run, whereas the primary two movies are at the moment streaming on Paramount+.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the sequel to the 2022 comedy-adventure film that featured the Blue Blur and his companions on an journey to cease Dr. Robotnik from taking on the world. The brand new movie sees the brand new antagonist Shadow the Hedgehog, arriving to trigger bother for the newly fashioned trio of heroes, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, as they modify to their earthly lives.
- Launch Date
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December 20, 2024
- Runtime
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109 Minutes