Summary
There is a lot of excitement for the upcomingSonic the Hedgehog 3movie release on August 02, 2025, especially since it will see Shadow join the franchise. The edgy character is one that video game fans are well aware of, and seeing Shadow brought into the movies is something people have wanted for a while due to how interesting he could be.
Voiced by Keanu Reeves, Shadow will be the antagonist inSonic the Hedgehog 3, posing the biggest threat yet to the iconic hero. However, after the movie’s runtime was confirmed, there was some concern about whether or not the character would get the treatment he deserves within the movie.
What Is The Runtime For Sonic The Hedgehog 3?
The confirmed runtime forSonic the Hedgehog 3is 1 hour and 49 minutes, which makes this the second shortest in the trilogy. The 2020 original lasted for 99 minutes, while the 2022 sequel was given a bumper 122-minute runtime, providing more time for the story to develop. However, this is a trilogy targeted toward younger audiences due to the vibrant characters and the comedic tone that often runs through the movies; therefore, keeping it short and sweet makes sense.
Sonic, as a character, is primarily known for his speed,which is his ultimate powerwithin his video game franchise. That also suits being a fast-paced movie as audiences want to be gripped by the action and the quick dialogue that the characters come out with. Shadow being added into that mix gives audiences even more to enjoy for the third installment of this franchise, which is why it makes sense that the runtime is longer than the original. However, pulling back on the time given to the sequel has worried fans.
Shadow Might Not Get The Necessary Attention
Shadow has quite a complex storyline inSonic the Hedgehogcanon, and while the movie could opt to do something completely different with him, diehard fans want the character to begiven the proper attention to detail. Considering he’s set to be the main antagonist in the film, Shadow is going to be an essential character in the movie and will need to be a good one for the overall story to be entertaining.
That’s why people want to see Shadow given the appropriate amount of time to develop his backstory and truly explain his reason for existing and wanting to cause harm to Sonic within this particular story. This is especially crucial for casual fans of the franchise or people who only watch the movies and have yet to experience all of Shadow’s lore within the video games that he’s been involved in over the years.
The antagonist is always going to be one of the most essential characters in a movie, especially in something likeSonic the Hedgehog 3, which is looking to tella classic tale of good vs evil. However, with a shorter runtime, it might not be possible for Shadow to get all of the explanation, focus, and detail that is necessary for the character to become iconic and stick in the minds of the viewers in the long term, which is what a good character needs.
How The Large Cast Could Be A Problem
Throughout each installment of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise so far, new characters have been added, leading to the cast becoming quite bloated heading intoSonic the Hedgehog 3. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles will all be part of the movie, while Dr. Robotnik and Gerald Robotnik will also be part of the film. That’s on top ofall the returning human characterswho also need to be given enough screen time to influence the story.
Shadow is being thrown into a crowded mix, and with a reduced runtime compared to the last movie, it is a concern for fans that it will be impossible for him to get the necessary time to develop his personality. However, that’s more than just an issue for Shadow, as it could become a problem for several characters who have had more prominent roles in the previous movies. There is only so much time that can be dedicated to each individual character and their plots, as audiences willexpect plenty of big fight scenes, too, where the more detailed, emotional character development cannot take place.
Sonic is obviously going to take up the majority of the focus due to being the lead character and the face of the franchise. Shadow will likely be given enough time to make his involvement in the movie worthwhile, but there is a risk for supporting roles such as Tails, Tom, or Agent Stone that they could end up just fading into the background inSonic the Hedgehog 3, which might hurt the overall movie.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)
Cast
Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 sets up a new threat for Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails by introducing Shadow the Hedgehog. Shadow presents such a big danger to planet Earth, that the heroes have to team up with Dr. Robotnik.
