Paramount Pictures is prepping “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” with the studio anticipating a spring 2027 release date for the latest entry in the family-friendly franchise.
The news comes as “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” races into theaters on Friday, where it is expected to top the box office with $55 million to $60 million from 3,800 North American theaters. The sequel is shaping up to be a nice holiday season hit for Paramount, hence the interest in more “Sonic” adventures. Internationally, the film will open in 52 markets on Christmas. Critics have also liked the latest movie, handing “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” an impressive 87% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Together, the first two films have earned a combined global box office total of $725.2 million and driven over $180 million in global consumer spending from home entertainment rentals and digital purchases. They also inspired a spinoff Paramount+ series, “Knuckles,” which came out earlier this year. “Sonic the Hedgehog” is based on the popular video-game franchise from Sega, which first appeared in 1991.
Jeff Fowler has directed all three “Sonic the Hedgehog” films. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” brings back Jim Carrey as Dr. Ivo Robotnik, Sonic’s main antagonist, and Ben Schwartz as the titular speedster. Carrey does double duty in part three, and also plays Ivo’s grandfather, Gerald Robotnik. The ensemble includes James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey and Keanu Reeves, who plays Shadow the Hedgehog, another fan favorite from the video games.
Plot details on “Sonic the Hedgehog 4” are — you guessed it — being kept under wraps.
From Variety US