What’s next for the Sonic films after Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s post-credits scene?

This text closely spoils the plot of Sonic 3 and its post-credits scene, learn at your peril!

With every Sonic movie, Paramount has drawn nearer inspiration from Sega’s recreation sequence, teasing characters in every post-credits scene to arrange the following. That is no totally different with the discharge of Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

The primary movie, as an illustration, launched Sonic’s sidekick Tails in its post-credit scene, who was joined by Knuckles within the second movie for a plot impressed by Mega Drive recreation Sonic 3. The second movie, in the meantime, ended with a Shadow the Hedgehog reveal, making manner for the newly-released movie impressed by Sonic Journey 2.

So what does the post-credits scene within the Sonic 3 movie imply for the way forward for the franchise? Which recreation could be subsequent?

That is your closing spoiler warning!

Who’s teased for the following movie?

On the finish of Sonic 3, Shadow the Hedgehog and Eggman are presumed useless after the movie’s climactic Eclipse Cannon explosion. Cue the Sonic R impressed credit.

The primary post-credits scene sees Sonic working via a forest at night time the place he encounters not one however a number of Metallic Sonics – that is reveal primary. And who ought to save him, however a mysterious caped determine with an enormous hammer who then reveals herself to be Amy Rose – reveal quantity two! Followers had already speculated these characters would characteristic within the subsequent movie as they’re the probably candidates but to be included within the movie sequence. Amy particularly is a significant character bringing some much-needed female vitality to the forged of critters.

There is a second post-credits scene too displaying some acquainted sneakers – sure, Shadow is not gone in any case!

Each Metallic Sonic and Amy Rose had been launched to the sport sequence in Sonic CD. May that be the inspiration for Sonic 4?

A Sonic gem

Sonic CD was initially developed as a port of the unique Mega Drive recreation for the Mega CD add-on, however later turned its personal challenge by Sonic Group in Japan directed by Sonic designer Naoto Ohshima. The unique recreation’s lead programmer Yuji Naka, in the meantime, headed to Sega of America to develop what turned Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Sonic CD launched in 1993, a yr after the “correct” sequel, with the CD format permitting for animated cutscenes and a better high quality soundtrack. Although much less well-liked than different Sonic video games because of its launch platform, it obtained important acclaim and has since been re-released a number of instances – it is included within the 2022 assortment Sonic Origins.

The place Sonic the Hedgehog 2 launched Tails, Sonic CD launched the blue blur’s self-proclaimed girlfriend Amy Rose and new antagonist Metallic Sonic (an invention from Robotnik, after all) who kidnaps Amy. Metallic Sonic is the sport’s most iconic boss, who Sonic should outrun within the Stardust Speedway zone to avoid wasting Amy.

With the Sonic 3 movie teasing each characters, Sonic CD might nicely kind the idea of the following movie.

Travelling via area and time

So what does that imply for the following movie’s plot? Firstly, the movies do not instantly replicate the video games, as evidenced by the post-credits scenes. Amy storms in wielding the hammer weapon she’s since develop into recognized for, that means she will not be a mere damsel in misery. Her presence will definitely present a welcome foil to the boisterous Sonic, although. And with a complete military of Metallic Sonics for the blue hedgehog to cope with, the stakes have definitely been raised.

Sonic CD takes place on Little Planet, which Robotnik has chained to Earth and begun turning right into a fortress for his robotic military. We see this within the recreation’s iconic animated introduction. Within the movies, in the meantime, we all know already that Sonic and his mates are technically aliens from different worlds, so it would not be farfetched for an additional planet to characteristic. I might really respect a steer away from actual life Earth for the following movie. But on the movie’s climax, we see the Eclipse Cannon slicing a piece from the moon – what if the moon due to this fact turns into an equal to Little Planet?

Sonic CD can also be well-known for its time travelling mechanic. By working previous numerous indicators, Sonic can journey to previous, current and future variations of every zone, destroying Robotnik’s equipment up to now to make for a superb future. Ought to Sonic 4 be based mostly on this recreation, time journey would possible characteristic in some respect, maybe with Sonic reclaiming the Time Stones from Robotnik. It might make for a enjoyable, if convoluted, plot and would enable the writers to retcon concepts from the earlier movies if mandatory – or if Jim Carrey decides to retire as soon as once more. Younger Robotnik anybody?

A Sonic Increase

Because of the Mega CD, Sonic CD featured an excellent and prolonged soundtrack, with every zone having its personal theme based mostly on the time zone. Notably, the soundtrack differed between its Japanese and American variations, with followers divided on which they like. Whereas the Japanese launch had You Can Do Something as its theme music and a soundtrack impressed by home music, the American launch had Sonic Increase and a funk-rock soundtrack. Each have their retro 90s attraction I might like to see the movies lean into.

Sonic Increase could be a tacky anthem however I adore it unapologetically and will simply see it turning into used as a theme for the following movie, equally to the usage of Sonic Journey 2’s Stay and Study in Sonic 3. You Can Do Something can also be a bop, although its rap is maybe slightly too outdated for the movie. The American model of Stardust Speedway can also be superior for my part and I can simply think about a contemporary remix accompanying a cinematic chase sequence between Sonic and Metallic Sonic. Sega make it so!

The precise zones from Sonic CD are in all probability too psychedelic for the movie’s Earth setting past mild nods akin to Inexperienced Hills, however I nonetheless suppose there’s room for nods to different ranges from all through the Sonic video games. That is very true in the event that they transfer farther from the actual world setting. It is wild to me that we’ve not seen correct references to Sonic 2’s Chemical Plant Zone but and I might like to see a recreation of Sonic & Knuckles’ Flying Battery Zone too.

Lastly, how does Shadow match into all this? I am going to go away that to the inventive interpretation of the movie’s scriptwriters, although Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba have acknowledged they’re eager for a Shadow and Knuckles TV spin-off. Nevertheless, with the shutdown of Paramount TV, it is unclear what the long run is for Sonic TV exhibits. What’s extra, with the narrative trajectory of the present three movies steadily phasing out its human characters, I think they’re going to characteristic even much less in Sonic 4, particularly with the introduction of Amy to the crew.

In fact, that is all conjecture on my half and I may very well be utterly flawed. However after taking inspiration from the most well-liked video games within the sequence, I might like to see Paramount sort out Sonic CD for its subsequent movie and provides a critically acclaimed traditional its due.

What did you consider the Sonic 3 movie? Do you suppose Sonic CD might kind the idea of the following movie? What else would you wish to see sooner or later? Tell us within the feedback.