Shadow’s origin inSonic the Hedgehog 3teases the introduction of a major franchise villain in a future movie.Sonic 3wasted no time introducing Shadow the Hedgehog, one of the most popular characters from theSonicvideo games. In many ways, Shadow is the primary focus ofSonic the Hedgehog 3. The story ofSonic the Hedgehog 3follows Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, who are tasked with taking down Shadow. However, they lose their initial encounter against Shadow, which leads the Black Blur to reunite with Gerald Robotnik, the grandfather of Ivo Robotnik.
Shadow is an antagonist to Team Sonic throughout most of the movie, but he eventually sides with them and turns against Gerald at theend ofSonic the Hedgehog 3. Even though it initially seemed like Shadow died on the space station during the film’s climax, the secondpost-credits scene ofSonic the Hedgehog 3reveals that he is still alive. Therefore, it is likely that he will return in a futureSonicmovie, andShadow’s new origin inSonic the Hedgehog 3also teases thatBlack Doom could be the villain of a future film in the series.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Confirms Shadow Came From Outer Space
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Changed Shadow’s Origin
Shadow’s origin inSonic the Hedgehog 3and the video games are different. InSonic the Hedgehog 3, it is revealed thatShadow crash-landed on Earth in an asteroid 50 years before the events of the film. It is not revealed where in space Shadow came from, but he is held in a GUN base after he was discovered on Earth. The GUN scientists, led by Gerald Robotnik, wanted to perform experiments on him so that they could understand his powers. However, after the accidental death of Maria, Gerald’s granddaughter, Shadow was trapped inside a test tube for 50 years.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Only Gave A Small Glimpse Of Shadow’s True Power Levels
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 finally shows off Shadow the Hedgehog’s powers, but it isn’t even close to showing the full extent of Shadow’s potential.
In theSonicvideo games, Shadow did not crash-land on Earth from space, but his backstory is still connected to Gerald and Maria. In the video games.Shadow was actually created by Gerald Robotnik and grew up on the Space Colony ARK. Gerald created Shadow in an attempt to save Maria, who suffered from a rare terminal disease. The ultimate goal of what was called “Project Shadow” was to achieve immortality. However, GUN ultimately decided to cover up Project Shadow and stormed the ARK, leading to the death of Maria.
Shadow’s Origin Can Now Connect To Black Doom
Black Doom Is Technically Shadow’s Father
Shadow’s origin inSonic the Hedgehog 3may be different from the video games, but there is still an opportunity to connect him to Black Doom, a major villain in the franchise. In theSonicfranchise, Black Doom is a sinister alien who is the leader of the Black Arms, an army of monsters that Sonic and his allies fight in the video games. To create Shadow, Gerald Robotnik actually made a deal with Black Doom to use the evil alien’s blood. Therefore,Shadow is technically the biological son of Black Doom.
In the video games, Black Doom wants Shadow to help him conquer humanity, so it would make sense for him to send his son to Earth.
Gerald and Black Doom may have never made a deal in theSonicmovie universe, but Shadow could still be Black Doom’s son. InSonic the Hedgehog 3, it is never mentioned where Shadow came from. Therefore,it’s possible that Black Doom is the one who sent Shadow to Earth. In the video games, Black Doom wants Shadow to help him conquer humanity, so it would make sense for him to send his son to Earth.
Will Black Doom Be Sonic The Hedgehog 4’s Villain?
Black Doom Could Be Further Teased In Sonic 4
After the reveal that Shadow is still alive at the end ofSonic 3, it’s possible that Black Doom could be the villain of theupcomingSonic the Hedgehog 4. However, based onSonic 3’sfirst post-credits scene,it’s much more likely that Metal Sonic will be the villain ofSonic 4.Sonic the Hedgehog 3’sfirst post-credits scene introduced both Amy Rose and Metal Sonic, so it would make sense forSonic 4’sstory to focus on them, rather than a character that hasn’t even been introduced yet.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
64%
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
69%
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)
87%
However,given Shadow’s new origin in the movie universe, it’s likely that Black Doom will be the villain of either a fifthSonicfilm or a Shadow spinoff. A Shadow spinoff hasn’t officially been announced, but it would be the perfect opportunity to explore the relationship between Shadow and Black Doom. If that doesn’t happen, Black Doom would also make a threatening villain forSonic 5after being quietly set up inSonic the Hedgehog 3.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Cast
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reunites Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails as they face a formidable new adversary, Shadow. With Shadow’s unprecedented powers posing a significant threat, Team Sonic seeks an unexpected alliance to thwart his plans and safeguard the planet.
