While Paramount and Sega have slowly been expanding the Sonic cinematic universe with Paramount+'s Knuckles, it appears that new bits of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 are finally making their way out.
At this year's Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, a fan managed to find a promotional poster for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 featuring Sega's iconic trio as well as a close-up of Keanu Reeves' Shadow.
Though the promotional art featured showcases renders from the previous two films, it all but signifies that Paramount Pictures and Sega are ready to push Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as the film nears its release. Furthermore, Shadow's full body is more prominent in this artwork.
While this artwork does not present any new clues for what's to come, fans can expect more updates regarding the film's story in the next few months. However, this year's CinemaCon gave fans a glimpse of Sonic and friends facing off against Shadow.
Given the footage, some important lore details in Knuckles, and this artwork, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will follow very closely to the narrative of Sonic Adventure 2, which saw the origins of Sonic's iconic rival.
This has been further confirmed by Sonic 3‘s producer Toby Ascher when talking to Games Radar, stating that the film “obviously takes a lot from ‘Sonic Adventure 2' and some of the games that I know the core Sonic Team grew up loving.”
In the game itself, Dr. Eggman freed Shadow from his imprisonment by the global organization G.U.N. after 50 years.
In return, Shadow would aid Eggman in taking down Sonic, but ultimately discovered his plan to use the Chaos Emeralds.
With all this information, it will be interesting to see how the film adapts events from Sonic Adventure 2 as the previous movies added their own original elements to the overarching narrative. Nonetheless, fans can be assured Shadow will have great importance as the franchise continues.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 releases in theaters on December 20.
To watch Sonic the Hedgehog‘s latest spinoff Knuckles, you can sign up for an account on Paramount+ (available here!)