Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Paramount’s video game filmSonic the Hedgehog 3brought the titular hero’s cinematic universe to a spectacular new high, setting up stories to come. After introducing characters like Shadow the Hedgehog and Prof. Gerald Robotnik to the hit franchise, this threequel set the stage for more greatness with its upcoming sequel,Sonic the Hedgehog 4.

Specifically,Sonic the Hedgehog 3featured a mid-credits scenein which Sonic gets cornered by copies of Metal Sonic, the blue blur’s android doppelgänger. However, these killer robots are defeated bySonicicon Amy Rose, the hero’s ally and hammer-wielding love interest from the video games. Combined with the events of its main story,Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s introduction of Amy and Metal Sonic carries enormous implications for whatSonic the Hedgehog 4will be about, as it could adapt the events of three classicSonicvideo games.

Sonic and Metal Sonic in Sonic CD

Sonic The Hedgehog 4’s Story Could Be Based On Sonic CD

Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s first post-credits sceneteases that the franchise’s fourth film will be based on the events ofSonic CD, the game that introduced both Amy and Metal Sonic.Sonic CDshows Doctor Eggman and Metal Sonic kidnapping Amy and taking over Little Planet after it appears in the sky. The game also had Sonic and Eggman harnessing the power of the planet’s seven Time Stones, allowing them to control the flow of history.

35 Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Easter Eggs & Video Game References Explained

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is full of exciting Easter eggs and video game references, many of which come from Sonic Adventure 2 (Shadow’s first appearance)

Due to the presence of Little Planet inSonic CD, adapting the game inSonic the Hedgehog 4could mean showing the blue hero and his friends traveling to other planets once more, expanding the cosmic scope of the story. Likewise, considering the Terminator-esque way that the Metal Sonics appear inSonic the Hedgehog 3,the film’s sequel could implement the time travel elements ofSonic CDand have these robots going back in time to kill Sonic.

35-Sonic-The-Hedgehog-3-Easter-Eggs-&-Video-Game-References-Explained

However, it is more likely that theSonicmovies' Chaos Emeraldswill take the Time Stones' place in the fourth movie, given the former jewels were also capable of controlling time in the games. Nevertheless, this might even open the door for the time-traveling Silver the Hedgehog to enter the franchise as well.

Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Could Borrow Elements From Sonic Advance

Sonic Advanceis a more traditional and basicSonicgamethan many of the franchise’s other titles. This Game Boy Advance title showed the blue hedgehog and his friends trying to stop Eggman from ruling the world when he turns animals into robots and tries to assemble the Chaos Emeralds. There isn’t much to adapt from this game in terms of plot. However,Sonic Advancedoes feature Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy as the main playable protagonists,which could translate into how the fourthSonicfilm portrays its heroes.

Every Video Game Character In The Sonic The Hedgehog Movies

The Sonic the Hedgehog movies include several characters from the source material, from the titular speedster to his many allies and enemies.

Since Amy has finally appeared in theSonicmovie franchise, the filmmakers could gain some inspiration fromSonic Advanceas they depict the four alien heroes teaming up to save the world. Whether or not the fourthSonicfilm depicts time travel in its story,the Chaos Emeralds could still return as a more major plot device. Since the Emeralds were kept hidden in case of emergencies for most ofSonic the Hedgehog 3, having them reappear in a more prominent role could shake up the sequel’s story for the better.

Sonic Amy Rose and Tails on Tornado 2.

Metal Sonic’s Tease Could Make Sonic Heroes The Basis For Sonic The Hedgehog 4’s Story

With Robotnik Gone, Metal Sonic Could Now Be The Villain Of Sonic 4

If the fourthSonicfilm takes inspiration from theSonic Heroesvideo game,Metal Sonic could end up taking Ivo Robotnik’s place as the movie’s main antagonist.Sonic Heroesshowed Metal Sonic disguising himself as Dr. Eggman and copying Sonic’s data and that of his many other friends and rivals to gain their power. He even gathered data on Shadow and the deity Chaos, ascending to a new level of strength as Neo Metal Sonic.

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Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s post-credits scene finally introduces Metal Sonic, and here’s who the villain is and what he could do in future sequels.

Ivo did seem to sacrifice himself to save the Earth from his grandfather’s Eclipse Cannon at theend ofSonic the Hedgehog 3. This noble death leaves the perfect opening for Metal Sonic to step in and take the doctor’s place as Sonic’s arch-nemesis. Also,Metal Sonic copying the powers of Sonic and his allies should make him a formidable new adversaryfor the sequel who justifies a larger team of ultra-powerful heroes. TheSonicfilms have already introduced Tails, Knuckles, Amy, and Shadow, so if another spinoff TV show likeKnucklesdebuts more characters, the fourth movie could make for a surprisingly faithful adaptation ofSonic Heroes.

Sonic clinging to a biplane next to Longclaw in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

Sonic The Hedgehog 4’s Story Will Have To Combine Multiple Video Games After The First Trilogy

The Way The Sonic Films Have Unfolded Requires Several Adaptations In The Fourth Film

At this point in Paramount’s movie franchise, it would be nearly impossible to precisely adapt games likeSonic Heroes,Sonic Advance, orSonic CDforSonic the Hedgehog 4. Shadow has already appeared, andhe is shown to have survived the Eclipse Cannon’s destruction in the third film’s post-credits scene, implying he will return in the near future. Also, since Dr. Robotnik seems to finally be dead, he will likely not return to play the roles he had in either of these three games afterSonic the Hedgehog 3.

Shadow’s Origin In Sonic The Hedgehog 3: How The Movie Changes His Video Game History

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 made some significant changes to Shadow’s origin from the Sonic video games, altering the popular villain’s history.

As a result,Sonic the Hedgehog 4will have to merge plot elements from all three games to deliver a proper story for the big screen.Doing so can grant Amy a more active role in the storyrather than the part of the damsel-in-distress inSonic CD. Metal Sonic can also appear as a more formidable and well-rounded antagonist, as he does inSonic Heroes. While Robotnik may be gone,Sonic the Hedgehog 4can still capitalize on the fan-favorite Jim Carreyby having Metal Sonic impersonate him in his pursuit of ultimate power.

Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles on the cover of Sonic Heroes

While it can’t precisely adapt the games it takes inspiration from,Sonic the Hedgehog 4could take all these ingredients to make a vast and satisfying follow-up to Sonic’s acclaimed third movie.

Following the events ofSonic the Hedgehog 3, the franchise shows tremendous potential with everything it has set up for its fourth movie. Amy Rose could become a powerful ally and romantic partner for Sonic, presenting a unique chapter in the hero’s journey. Neo Metal Sonic could also usurp Shadow as the blue hedgehog’s strongest and most fearsome enemy yet. While it can’t precisely adapt the games it takes inspiration from,Sonic the Hedgehog 4could take all these ingredients to make a vast and satisfying follow-up to Sonic’s acclaimed third movie.

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An edited image of Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and in the video games.