Ben Kingsley and Nick Offerman are joining the Sonic universe.
The pair are among the new voice cast members for “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” the latest adventure for the anthropomorphic speedster, led by Ben Schwartz. (Offerman’s casting makes for a fun “Parks and Recreation” reunion between the two actors.)
The full cast list is as follows: Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Kristen Bell, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Ben Kingsley, Matt Berry, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Lee Majdoub, Nick Offerman and Richard Ayoade.
Kristen Bell was recently announced to voice Amy Rose, the pink creature with a major crush on Sonic.
Plot details for the fourth film are under wraps. Other returning cast members include Idris Elba and Colleen O’Shaughnessey, who voice Sonic’s pals Knuckles and Tails, and Keanu Reeves is behind the mysterious Shadow. Meanwhile, in human form, Jim Carrey has portrayed the hedgehog’s main antagonist, Dr. Robotnik; James Marsden and Tika Sumpter play Sonic’s adopted parental figures.
Paramount’s live-action/CGI hybrid film series has proved incredibly lucrative at the global box office, grossing a collective $1 billion. Jeff Fowler has directed all three “Sonic” films, and he returns to helm the next installment of the family-friendly franchise. “Sonic the Hedgehog 4” is set for theatrical release on March 19, 2027.
While not many franchises make it farther than a fourquel — not to mention the spinoff series “Knuckles” for Paramount+ — this seems to be far from the final installment in the popular franchise based on the classic Sega video game. The studio also dated an untitled “Sonic Universe Event Film” on Dec. 22, 2028.
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From Variety US