The Sonic movies keep getting bigger and bigger, so I wouldn't be surprised if Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will definitely include Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails, who will likely continue fighting together and working as a team.

All the Sonic movies have been major commercial successes, with the third film grossing $492 million at the worldwide box office (via Box Office Mojo). This is the biggest box office haul of the entire series, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 also received the best reviews from critics. Therefore, it's clear that the Sonic movie franchise still has a lot of legs. I wouldn't be surprised if the fourth movie is an even bigger commercial and critical success, especially since there's a good chance that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will break a franchise record by including many video game characters.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Holds The Franchise Record For Most Video Game Character Appearances

Sonic 3 Is The Most Ambitious Movie Of The Franchise Yet

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 includes more video game characters than the first two movies in the series. It should be noted that this does not include Amy Rose and Metal Sonic, who only briefly appear in the post-credits scene. Therefore, the main storyline of Sonic 3 includes seven video game characters, these being Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Shadow, Ivo, Gerald, and Maria. These are all popular characters from the video games, and prove that the Sonic movie franchise is just getting bigger and bigger.

At this point, it seems like all the of Team Sonic will be mainstays. So, even though Knuckles and Tails are sidelined in the third film, they will definitely appear in Sonic 4. However, both Ivo and Gerald Robotnik seemingly die at the end of Sonic 3, which means that they may not appear in the franchise again. Additionally, since Maria dies during flashback scenes in the third film, she will also probably not appear again. However, the same can't be said for Shadow, who, despite being a lone wolf, may work with Team Sonic in the future.

Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Is Already Set Up To Have 5 Video Game Characters

It Looks Like Sonic 4 Will Be Yet Another Exciting Entry In The Series

Even though some characters from Sonic the Hedgehog 3 may not appear in the fourth film, it is already set up to include at least five characters. Based on the ending of the third movie, Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, Amy Rose, and Metal Sonic will definitely have major roles in Sonic 4. During the post-credits scene of the third movie, Amy Rose uses her signature piko piko hammer to fight off Metal Sonic and his army of robots, successfully saving the Blue Blur. Because of this, she will likely become an official member of Team Sonic in the fourth movie.

In Sonic 4, Team Sonic will probably work together to take down Metal Sonic, who may become the new villain of the franchise. Since Ivo Robotnik is seemingly dead, a major character needs to take his place as the series' big bad, and Metal Sonic could be the perfect candidate. However, if this is the case, some changes may need to be made to Metal Sonic to make him a more effective villain. For example, it would be great if Metal Sonic could talk in Sonic the Hedgehog 4, which is something he doesn't do in the games.

Sonic 4 Could Bring Back A Few More Familiar Video Game Characters Too

Will Shadow & Ivo Robotnik Return In Sonic The Hedgehog 4?

If Sonic the Hedgehog 4 wants to include more characters than any previous movie in the series, successfully breaking the franchise record, then it will have to include at least three more video game characters. As mentioned, in addition to Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, Amy Rose, and Metal Sonic, Shadow the Hedgehog could also return in the fourth movie. This isn't necessarily a guarantee though. In fact, many fans have been asking for a Shadow spinoff, which suggests he may go on a solo adventure and may not appear in Sonic the Hedgehog 4.

Including Eggman Nega would be a perfect way to bring Jim Carrey back to the franchise without ruining Ivo Robotnik's redemption.

Additionally, even though he seemingly died in the third movie, it also wouldn't be surprising if Ivo Robotnik returns in Sonic 4. After all, he has returned in every Sonic movie after being defeated in the previous film. However, bringing Ivo back once again could potentially ruin his redemption at the end of Sonic 3. Because of this, I have a feeling Ivo will stay dead in the franchise. This doesn't mean that there will be no more Robotniks in the franchise though, since Eggman Nega, a descendant of Ivo, could potentially have a role in Sonic 4.

Including Eggman Nega would be a perfect way to bring Jim Carrey back to the franchise without ruining Ivo Robotnik's redemption. The post-credits scene of Sonic 3 includes a Terminator reference which actually hints that Metal Sonic is from the future. Since Eggman Nega is born about 200 years after Ivo Robotnik, it's possible that he is the one who created Metal Sonic and will work with the evil robot to rule over humanity in the fourth movie.

Sonic 4 Can Easily Beat The Franchise's Video Game Character Appearance Record

The Sonic Franchise Includes Many More Characters

Even if Shadow or yet another Robotnik do not appear in Sonic the Hedgehog 4, I still believe it will be easy enough for the movie to break this franchise record. After all, there are so many Sonic video game characters that fans want to see in the movies. For example, Rouge the Bat is a fan-favorite character that the writers have tried to include in every Sonic movie. Perhaps Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will be the perfect time to finally introduce her.

Additionally, it would also be great if Sonic the Hedgehog 4 featured Team Chaotix, which includes Vector the Crocodile, Espio the Chameleon, and Charmy Bee. Team Chaotix have taken on Metal Sonic in the games before, so their inclusion makes sense. These are all just suggestions, and there are still many video game characters that I would love to see in the fourth movie. Therefore, it's clear that the Sonic franchise includes many amazing characters, which means Sonic the Hedgehog 4 could easily beat this franchise record.