Sonic The Hedgehog Spinoff Movie In Development, Set For 2028 Release

As development on the fourth movie continues, Paramount has already lined up their next Sonic the Hedgehog story. After a very brief setback with the infamous design now dubbed Ugly Sonic, the live-action adaptations of the SEGA franchise have become some of the biggest hits in the video game adaptation sphere, becoming bigger critical and commercial hits with each installment.

Even before the third film set franchise records with the best reviews and highest-grossing haul of the series, Paramount announced Sonic the Hedgehog 4‘s development the day of the threequel’s release. While plot details are currently unknown, the movie is currently set for a March 2027 release, with plans for a bigger role for Amy Rose after her post-credits introduction, while the futures of Keanu Reeves’ Shadow and Jim Carrey’s Robotnik have been kept a mystery.

Per Variety, Paramount has entered development on a mystery Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff movie. The project, which is again being produced by Neal H. Moritz, is currently only being described as a “Sonic Universe Event Film,” with the title also already being set for a December 22, 2028 release date. In addition to the new Sonic film, the studio also announced an untitled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie for a November 17, 2028 release.

This certainly isn’t the first that word of a new Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff came about, as rumors were swirling earlier this year that the studio was eyeing such a project. Those reports similarly didn’t come with any actual insight into what the film might be about, though in looking at where the franchise currently stands, the most likely candidate for a spinoff would be Shadow the Hedgehog.

Following the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ending, Reeves’ antihero character is left in a very similar state to his appearances in Sonic Heroes and, more importantly, the Shadow the Hedgehog solo game. Considering how positive the reception was to Reeves’ incarnation in the 2024 threequel, it would certainly make sense for Paramount to want to build on this success with a solo project.

Another possibility for the Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff could be Colleen O’Shaughnessey’s Tails, who was also the subject of a few spinoff games in the SEGA franchise. Unlike Shadow, whose backstory was told pretty thoroughly in his franchise introduction, much of Tails’ was relegated to an off-screen explanation from the character as he shared being bullied and becoming an outcast because of his tails. A spinoff could not only give a proper look at this backstory, but also give Tails a full-circle arc of becoming the hero for his homeworld thanks to his adventures with Sonic.

Regardless of who is the subject of the next film, the fact that Paramount is turning to the big screen for the Sonic the Hedgehog spinoff movie is an encouraging sign of the studio’s faith in the franchise. Not only could this see them move ahead with Knuckles season 2 in the form of a film, but also look to its entire roster of characters to get standalone stories, even offering some more well-rounded incarnations than their game counterparts.

Movie(s)

Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie (1996), Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)

First Film

Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie (1996)

Video Game(s)

Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic the Hedgehog CD, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic Adventure, Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Heroes, Sonic Unleashed, Sonic Colors, Sonic Generations, Sonic Lost World, Sonic Forces, Sonic Frontiers , Sonic Shuffle, Sonic Advance 1, Sonic Advance 2, Sonic Advance 3, Sonic Rush, Sonic Rush Adventure, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood

Character(s)

Sonic the Hedgehog, Tails Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Dr. Eggman, Mighty the Armadillo, Ray the Squirrel, Vector the Crocodile, Charmy the Bee, Espio the Chameleon, Shadow the Hedgehog, Big the Cat, Rouge the Bat, Metal Sonic

Comic Release Date

229797,248991,248992

Sonic the Hedgehog is a multimedia franchise that began with Sonic the Hedgehog’s release for the Sega Genesis in 1991. The franchise follows the adventures of the titular Blue Blur, Sonic, as he fights the nefarious Dr. Eggman to protect his friends, family, and the world. The series has expanded into several video games, multiple comic book series, television shows, and a Hollywood feature film series.