Summary

• Keanu Reeves makes his debut as Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, fulfilling fan suggestions and speculation.
• Sonic the Hedgehog 3's star-studded cast includes returning actors alongside Reeves, promising an exciting sequel.
• Reeves' portrayal of Shadow stays true to his iconic voice, adding to his impressive list of roles in CGI and animated films.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2's post-credits scene. The sequence set up Shadow's role in a sequel, teasing his game-accurate look, but leaving a major question regarding who would voice him. The result was plenty of fan casts and suggestions for who should voice Shadow in Sonic 3.

The official Sonic the Hedgehog 3 cast includes several returning actors from the past movies. Ben Schwartz is back to voice Sonic, while Idris Elba returns as Knuckles and Colleen O’Shaughnessy is back voicing Tails. James Marsden and others reprise their human character roles, including Jim Carrey's return as Dr. Robotnik. The biggest new addition to the ensemble comes with Shadow's introduction, as he's the most notable new character, and who voices the villainous hedgehog in Sonic 3 only makes his involvement more exciting.

Keanu Reeves Is The Voice Of Shadow The Hedgehog In Sonic 3

He Was A Popular Fan Suggestion

It is officially confirmed that Keanu Reeves is voicing Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. His casting was confirmed in April 2024 after over two years of speculation that he could be the choice. The announcement came after Sonic the Hedgehog referenced Keanu Reeves. Meanwhile, the actor's popularity and persona made him a fan-favorite choice to voice the character. In the end, the movie franchise agreed and brought Keanu aboard to play Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic 3.

It was not until the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3's trailer that Keanu Reeves' Shadow the Hedgehog voice was heard. As the start of the film's marketing campaign, Paramount held off on revealing Keanu's version of Shadow until then. Unsurprisingly, the actor does not change his voice to play the character. Shadow sounds exactly like the John Wick franchise star in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as a result.

Keanu Reeves' Other Notable Movie Roles Before Sonic 3

John Wick, The Matrix, & More

Prior to being the voice of Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Keanu Reeves' movies include some notable roles. His biggest role in recent memory is playing John Wick in the John Wick franchise, where he has made four appearances. He's also well-known for playing Neo in The Matrix and its sequels. Keanu's action movies also include hits like Point Break and Speed, while he's also done comedy with the Bill & Ted movies.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 marks one of the rare times when Keanu Reeves is voicing a CGI or animated character instead of playing a physical part. He previously voiced Duke Caboom in Toy Story 4 and Batman in DC League of Super-Pets. However, Keanu Reeves has had several villain roles in the past, so the villainous role for Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is not completely new territory for him as an actor.