Just when you thought the Sonic universe might take a vacation, it has laced up its red sneakers and is sprinting straight back into production. Can you believe that, “Sonic the Hedgehog 4” hasn’t even revved its engines properly yet, and it’s already teasing chaos, charm, and at least one very confident swing. Jeff Fowler just hopped on social media to confirm that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has officially started filming. He posted a shot from the set, and while most directors might just show a clapperboard, Fowler is standing there holding Amy Rose’s massive Piko Piko Hammer. It’s a great little “if you know, you know” nod for the fans.
The Big Debut
If you stayed for the post-credits in the third movie, you would have seen a hooded pink figure save Sonic from a swarm of Metal Sonics. What an awesome introduction to Amy Rose. The big news now is that Kristen Bell has officially joined the cast and will be the voice behind the hammer. I think this is a smart pick because, she’s got that high-energy, slightly chaotic vibe that Amy needs, and honestly, after Frozen, we know she can handle a massive franchise.
So What does The Cast Look Like?
The first thing to note, is that the Team Sonic” core will be sticking together. Ben Schwartz is back as the voice of Sonic. Colleen O’Shaughnessey voices Tails, Idris Elba is back as Knuckles, and Keanu Reeves is thankfully back voicing Shadow. And there you have it, the cast in all its glory.
What’s the Story?
As usual, Paramount is being predictably quiet about the storyline. However, since Amy Rose and Metal Sonic both debuted in the Sonic CD game, the internet is already buzzing with theories about time travel or a “Bad Future” scenario. It’s a bit of a stretch, but these movies have a habit of pulling the best bits from the games and making them actually work on screen. There will definitely be a huge focus on Amy and her giant hammer. This suggests she’ll be more central to this story than in previous movies.
Overall, fans of the franchise have plenty to look forward to with a familiar director back in the driver’s seat, the beloved characters returning, and a hint that this world is only getting bigger. We’re looking at a March 19, 2027 release date. It feels like a long way off, especially since the previous sequels came out pretty fast, but given the scale of the VFX needed for these characters, I’d rather they take the time to get it right.
