The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is gearing up for its next adventure. Paramount Pictures has begun development on Sonic the Hedgehog 4, even as the third installment prepares to hit theaters this Friday.
The studio is targeting a spring 2027 release for the upcoming sequel, continuing the series inspired by Sega’s beloved video game franchise.
Details about the fourth film remain under wraps, with no announcements yet regarding its writer or director.
Jeff Fowler, who directed the first three films, helmed the third installment from a script penned by Pat Casey, Josh Miller, and John Whittington.
The third installment in the series features the return of key cast members, including Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic and Jim Carrey, who reprises his role as Dr. Robotnik while also portraying the mad scientist’s grandfather.
The cast is rounded out by Krysten Ritter, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, James Marsden, and Tika Sumpter. Additional voice talent includes Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog, Idris Elba as Knuckles, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Tails.
The first two Sonic the Hedgehog films collectively grossed over $725 million worldwide. Since its launch with the February 2020 release of the first movie, the franchise has also expanded to include the Knuckles series on Paramount+, which premiered earlier this year.
In his review of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, chief film critic David Rooney praised the film as “a well-balanced, fast-paced blend of action and slapstick comedy that, in this case, takes place in such scenic locales as Tokyo and London.”
