Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 3!Shadow the Hedgehog plays a large role in the story of Shadow is just as powerful as Sonic (Ben Schwartz).

Since his first appearance in the video game, Sonic Adventures 2, Shadow the Hedgehog has risen to become one of the most popular characters in the franchise. Reeves received high praise for his faithful portrayal of Shadow in Sonic 3, in which Shadow struggles with deciding whether to allow his anger to contribute to the destruction of humanity or let go of his pain and move on from the past. Shadow is now set for a possible return in the sequel. However, the character would be better off appearing in his own spinoff project.

Shadow Would Likely Have A Reduced Role In Sonic The Hedgehog 4 If He Returns

Knuckles & Tails Had Smaller Roles In Sonic The Hedgehog 3

Throughout Sonic 3, Shadow the Hedgehog reckons with his past as part of Gerald Robotnik's (Jim Carrey) Project Shadow, and his quest for vengeance against G.U.N. With Sonic's help, Shadow turns against Gerald and stops the Eclipse Cannon from destroying Earth. The post-credits scene of Sonic 3's ending then confirms Shadow's survival from the Eclipse Cannon's destruction, which sets up a possible return for the hedgehog in the 2027 sequel. However, if Shadow were to return, his role would likely be reduced to allow other characters from the franchise to appear in the fourth movie.

If he were to appear in Sonic 4, Shadow would likely be given a role similar in size to both Tails (Colleen O'Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba) in Sonic 3. While both characters are prolific in Sonic 2, the roles of Tails and Knuckles were made smaller in Sonic 3, to allow for Shadow's arc. A similar situation could happen to Shadow after the surprise appearance of Metal Sonic and Amy Rose in Sonic 3's post-credits scenes, indicating that Shadow's screen time will likely be reduced in Sonic 4, so these new characters can be properly developed in the cinematic series.

A Shadow Spinoff Movie Is The Better Option For The Sonic Franchise

A Spinoff Would Likely Introduce New Characters Connected To Shadow

A spinoff movie specifically focusing on Shadow would work better for the character, rather than limiting him to a small role in Sonic 4. Shadow's popularity in the Sonic franchise has already seen him receive his own video game, 2005's Shadow the Hedgehog, which further explored his origins and connections with Gerald Robotnik. While the game garnered a mixed reception, receiving criticism for its darker tones, it was a commercial success and has since gained a cult following. The game provided a deeper perspective into Shadow and its plot could serve as the basis for a potential Shadow spinoff movie.

A Shadow spinoff could also include the introduction of other characters connected to the franchise's anti-hero. In the 2003 game, Sonic Heroes, Shadow is involved in a team with characters including E-123 Omega and Rouge the Bat; the team operates under the name Team Dark and works together throughout the game to bring down Doctor Robotnik, eventually aligning with Team Sonic to defeat Neo Metal Sonic. Shadow's alignment with Rouge and E-123 Omega could serve as an excellent story in a Shadow spinoff and as a tie-in to an eventual reunion with cinema's Team Sonic.

Shadow Is Perfectly Suited For A Spinoff Movie After Sonic The Hedgehog 3

A Spinoff Could Show Shadow Continue His Journey Of Moving On From The Past

Shadow the Hedgehog is arguably the most complex character of the Sonic franchise; Sonic 3 shows viers his past life and how the death of Maria (Alyla Browne), Gerald Robotnik's granddaughter, motivates his desire for revenge. Following Sonic and Shadow's epic fight in Sonic 3, Shadow is finally able to let go of his anger and move on from this loss. Shadow's survival, shown at the end of Sonic 3, allows him to continue his journey of redemption. Additionally, given the streaming success of the Knuckles series, it is very possible that Shadow could receive his own spinoff in the future.

Given the success of the Knuckles series, it is very possible that Shadow could receive his own spinoff in the future.

Sonic 3's director, a special side comic for Shadow, Chasing Shadows, has been announced, which sees Shadow embarking on a solo adventure in a mysterious village; the comic is scheduled for release in March 2025. While it hasn't been confirmed whether Shadow will receive a spinoff movie or return in Sonic 4, there are hopes that Keanu Reeves will reprise his role after his success with Sonic the Hedgehog 3.