The Sonic the Hedgehog 3 trailer (watch below) features the return of Jim Carrey as series antagonist Dr. Ivo Robotnik, but this time teaming up with the titular hero to stop a new threat to humanity. The twists don’t stop there, as Carrey is playing another major character that comes straight from the video game canon. Directly inspired by the video game Sonic Adventure 2, the trailer teases a faithful adaptation with the debut of a character vital to the story, played by a very familiar face.
Dr. Robotnik aka Eggman once again plays a major role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, joining forces with Sonic and his friends to stop Shadow the Hedgehog (Keanu Reeves), before presumably becoming the iconic villain again. However, as the trailer reveals, he is also portraying Dr. Robotnik’s grandfather, Gerald Robotnik. The trailer does not outright confirm it, but despite the convincing hair and makeup, it’s clearly Carrey portraying a much older gentleman this time around.
An important piece to Shadow’s origin story in Sonic Adventure 2, Gerald Robotnik will presumably have a lot to do in Sonic 3. Carrey doing double duty here is pretty significant, especially since he keeps thinking about retiring from acting. In the trailer, Carry plays an entirely new character with a distinct personality, one that will assuredly play well opposite his grandson Dr. Robotnik. Gerald Robotnik has specific ties to the storyline Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is based on, so expect major revelations when it comes to the Robotnik family tree in the upcoming film.
Who Exactly Is Gerald Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3?
Professor Gerald Robotnik made his debut in the 2001 video game Sonic Adventure 2, alongside the first appearance of Shadow the Hedgehog. Gerald is the scientist that creates the powerful weapon known as Shadow, a black hedgehog, in an attempt to create the ultimate life form. Many decades later, his grandson, Dr. Robotnik, teams up with Shadow to conquer the world. Obviously, things don’t go his way, and Shadow ends up a good guy alongside Sonic and as one of the most popular characters in the entire franchise. However, a dark and tragic backstory haunts both Gerald and Shadow, hinted at in the trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
Gerald creates Shadow because he wants to save his granddaughter Maria from a terminal illness. In doing so, Shadow grows attached to Maria, and the two form a bond. She can even be seen interacting with Shadow in the trailer. Without spoiling it, it is safe to say the upcoming film will handle heavier themes than the previous two installments. The emotional backbone of Sonic Adventure 2 should easily make Sonic the Hedgehog 3 the darkest film yet in the kid-friendly franchise. Expect Carrey’s Gerald to have similar wacky mannerisms as his Dr. Robotnik, but don’t be shocked if his role brings a lot of emotional weight to the sequel.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
is scheduled to be theatrically released by Paramount Pictures in the United States on December 20, 2024.
