Sonic The Hedgehog 3's Metal Sonic Could Be Setting Up An Exciting New Character For Sonic 4's Ending

Published Apr 5, 2025

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The introduction of Metal Sonic at the end of mid-credits tease of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, our hero is ambushed by a small army of Metal Sonics, a detail which carries interesting implications for the next installment.

a villain as iconic as Metal Sonic, the robot's inclusion could lay the groundwork for an additional beloved player from Sonic the Hedgehog lore throwing his hat into the ring in Sonic 4.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3's Metal Sonics Could Be From The Future

A Time Travel Storyline Could Be Sonic 4's Origin Story For The Metal Sonics

Metal Sonic standing in front of an army of Metal Sonics in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 — Paramount Pictures

The franchise notably expanded its lineup of Sonic characters when it brought in Metal Sonic, one of the video game franchise's most iconic villains, appeared during the mid-credits scene of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. In fact, it wasn't just one Metal Sonic but a small battalion of them who ambushed the titular blue speedster right before Amy Rose and her trusty hammer came to save the day. One on hand, it might be easy to assume that Metal Sonic was just a tool to introduce Amy Rose, but Metal Sonic's origins and connections underscore how vital he could be to the future.

Sonic and Metal Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Sonic The Hedgehog 3's Metal Sonic Introduction Already Created 1 Major Problem For Sonic 4

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 introduced Metal Sonic in a credits scene to set up the character as a Sonic 4 villain, but it created a major problem.

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In Sonic the Hedgehog canon, Metal Sonic is directly linked to Doctor Robotnik, Jim Carrey's character in the film adaptations. With Robotnik seemingly out of the picture due to the events of the third movie (or so we think) and star Jim Carrey contemplating retirement, questions arose about Metal Sonic's backstory in the sequel. One potential explanation for this conundrum is that the Metal Sonics are not from the main timeline of the current Sonic flicks but instead sent from the future to antagonize the beloved hero.

Sonic The Hedgehog Using Time Travel Means Silver The Hedgehog Can Be The Next Character Addition

The Introduction Of Time Travel In Sonic Films Increases The Likelihood Silver The Hedgehog Appears In Sonic 4

Silver the Hedgehog imagery from the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog video game.

Time travel would not be out of step with the pre-established Sonic the Hedgehog canon from the video games. Throughout the Sonic series, there are several examples of jumping through time, including using portals, running so fast it breaks time itself, and many more. Time travel is also a logical next step for the film saga, upping the ante from the previous trilogy, which featured extravagant adventures and forays into outer space. Adding time travel into the mix is a plausible theory for the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 4.

T-800 wearing sunglasses looking serious in Terminator Dark Fate next to Sonic screaming in Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic The Hedgehog 3’s Subtle Terminator Reference Teases 1 Major Story Element In Sonic 4

Sonic the Hedgehog 3's post-credits scene contained a subtle nod to The Terminator, a reference that teases a major story element in the fourth movie.

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One of the most iconic uses of time travel from the Sonic the Hedgehog games is that of Silver the Hedgehog, a character from 200 years in the future who travels back in time to preserve his timeline by resolving past disasters, a la Terminator. Despite his somewhat intense personality, Silver is an altruistic hero in Sonic lore. He often teams up with Sonic, using his psychokinetic abilities to battle for the greater good, hoping to restore peace today and tomorrow.

Silver The Hedgehog Would Be A Great New Character For Sonic 4's Ending

Silver Could Be The Next Sonic Fan-Favorite To Debut In A Mid-Credits Scene

Silver the Hedgehog from a cutscene in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)

The franchise's writers will have a challenging task at hand, attempting to top Metal Sonic and Amy's debut in Sonic 3.

A mainstay of the Sonic the Hedgehog cinematic series has been introducing a new character in each installment's respective mid-credits scene. The first Sonic flick gave us Miles "Tails" Prower, the second teased Shadow the Hedgehog, and the most recent at-bat, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, took a big swing, bringing both Metal Sonic and Amy Rose to the game. The franchise's writers will have a challenging task at hand, attempting to top Metal Sonic and Amy's debut in Sonic 3.

One character that could set the Sonic fandom ablaze, similar to those players, would be Silver the Hedgehog. First introduced in the Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 game, Silver quickly became a fan-favorite character, garnering a large following in the nearly two decades since his debut. If Paramount wants to continue the momentum established with the first Sonic the Hedgehog trilogy, launching Silver into the fold would be the perfect avenue to continue the growing excitement cemented by the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and moving into Sonic the Hedgehog 4 and beyond.