In a recent interview, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 producer Toby Ascher revealed that the highly anticipated third film in the live-action Sonic movie franchise will take heavy inspiration from the iconic Sonic Adventure 2 video game. The 2001 Dreamcast classic not only introduced the fan-favorite character Shadow the Hedgehog but also delivered an over-the-top, action-packed story that seems perfectly suited for a theatrical adaptation.

“It’s going to be this giant, fun, incredible movie that obviously takes a lot from Sonic Adventure 2 and some of the games that I know the core Sonic Team grew up loving,” Ascher told GamesRadar+. His comments confirm longstanding speculation from fans who expected Shadow’s debut to be tied to the events of the beloved 3D platformer.

For the unfamiliar, Sonic Adventure 2 featured two intertwining storylines – one following Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles as they battled to save the world, and another centered on Shadow, Dr. Eggman, and Rouge the Bat as they sought to conquer it. The game’s epic scale, intense action sequences, and highly dramatic cutscenes seem primed for translation to the big screen.

A mid-credits scene from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 already teased the arrival of Shadow, depicting a military organization known as G.U.N. discovering Project Shadow, hinting at the character’s brooding backstory as the “ultimate life form.” With Keanu Reeves recently cast as the voice of Shadow, the upcoming threequel has all the ingredients to bring Sonic Adventure 2’s story to vivid life.

“If you haven’t watched Sonic the Hedgehog 2, please don’t read any further due to upcoming spoilers,” cautioned one source. The successful sequel introduced G.U.N. as an organization dedicated to apprehending Sonic and his friends, setting up their inevitable clash with the powerful new hedgehog ally.

While Sonic Adventure 2 seems to be the core influence, Ascher suggests the film will incorporate elements from other beloved Sonic games as well. Fans can likely expect to see nods to classic levels, set pieces, and storylines from across the historic franchise’s decades-long history.

With high-octane action, epic scale, and the theatrical debut of one of gaming’s most popular antiheroes, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is shaping up to be the biggest Sonic adventure yet when it speeds into theaters on December 20th, 2024.