Sonic the Hedgehog 4 officially wrapped filming on May 15, 2026. Director Jeff Fowler shared a behind-the-scenes photo featuring a detailed Metal Sonic model, confirming the iconic villain’s role in the upcoming sequel arriving March 19, 2027.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has officially completed principal photography, and with it comes the first proper look at Metal Sonic in the film’s live-action universe. Director Jeff Fowler announced the wrap on May 15, 2026, posting a photo on X alongside a life-size Metal Sonic model and a clapperboard. The Sonic film franchise has grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide across three films, and the fourth instalment is set to hit theatres on March 19, 2027.
What Did Jeff Fowler Reveal?
Fowler’s post read: “And that’s a wrap on #SonicMovie4!!! On behalf of this amazing cast/crew, we have filmed the BEST Sonic Movie yet and can’t wait to share.” The standout element was Metal Sonic himself. Fans quickly noted that the filming stand-in model looks virtually unchanged from the character’s in-game design. Previous Sonic films featured practical stand-ins for characters like Sonic and Knuckles with noticeable alterations, but Metal Sonic’s model appears to be a near-exact recreation of his iconic look from the games.
The background of the photo also caught attention. Trees and greenery visible behind Fowler resemble the forest setting from Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s mid-credits scene, where Sonic was ambushed by an army of Metal Sonics. This suggests the fourth film picks up directly from that cliffhanger with no significant time jump.
Who Is Metal Sonic?
Metal Sonic first appeared in 1993’s Sonic the Hedgehog CD, created by Dr. Robotnik as a robotic duplicate built purely for speed and destruction. Over three decades, Metal Sonic has become one of the franchise’s most iconic antagonists, appearing in titles ranging from Sonic Heroes (where he evolved into the speaking Neo Metal Sonic form) to Sonic Rivals and Netflix’s Sonic Prime, where the character’s variant, Chaos Sonic, could actually speak.
Sonic CD is also the game where Amy Rose made her debut. Both characters appearing together in the same film strongly reinforces what Fowler has confirmed: the movie will draw elements from Sonic CD, honouring the chronology of their simultaneous introduction. However, Fowler has been clear that the story will not be solely based on that single game.
Will Metal Sonic Have a Voice?
This is one of the biggest unanswered questions heading into Sonic 4. In most game appearances, Metal Sonic is a silent, menacing presence. Fowler told Polygon in 2025 that the team had not yet decided whether the film version would speak, though he acknowledged the possibility would likely come up during scripting. The casting of Sir Ben Kingsley in what journalist Jeff Sneider described as “a key role” has fuelled intense fan speculation that the Oscar-winning actor could be voicing Metal Sonic. Nick Offerman has also been confirmed for a voice role, though neither actor’s character has been officially revealed.
The Full Cast of Sonic the Hedgehog 4
The fourth film brings back virtually every major player from the franchise while adding several high-profile newcomers:
| Actor | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Schwartz | Sonic the Hedgehog (voice) | Returning |
| Kristen Bell | Amy Rose (voice) | New |
| Colleen O’Shaughnessey | Tails (voice) | Returning |
| Idris Elba | Knuckles (voice) | Returning |
| Keanu Reeves | Shadow the Hedgehog (voice) | Returning |
| Jim Carrey | Dr. Robotnik | Returning |
| James Marsden | Tom Wachowski | Returning |
| Tika Sumpter | Maddie Wachowski | Returning |
| Lee Majdoub | Agent Stone | Returning |
| Ben Kingsley | Undisclosed (voice) | New |
| Nick Offerman | Undisclosed (voice) | New |
| Matt Berry | Undisclosed | New |
| Richard Ayoade | Undisclosed | New |
Jim Carrey’s return is particularly noteworthy. Robotnik appeared to sacrifice himself at the end of Sonic 3, but footage shown at CinemaCon 2026 confirmed he survives and returns as the same character from the same continuity. He was shown staggering out of a spaceship shouting “Robotnik saves world!”, hinting at an anti-hero arc where Robotnik may be forced to team up with Sonic against Metal Sonic, a dynamic that mirrors the Sonic CD game storyline.
Where Was Sonic 4 Filmed?
Principal photography began on March 2, 2026, at Shinfield Studios in Berkshire, England, roughly 35 miles outside London. This marked a change from Sonic 3, which was filmed at Pinewood Studios. Brandon Trost served as cinematographer. Filming lasted 74 days before wrapping on May 15. Reports also indicate that aerial drone footage was shot in Bora Bora and Tahiti as early as October 2025, potentially for tropical environments that could represent locations like Little Planet from Sonic CD.
What CinemaCon 2026 Footage Revealed
Paramount showcased early footage at CinemaCon in Las Vegas in April 2026. Reporters in the room described scenes of Tom and Maddie setting up a race between Sonic, Tails, and Shadow. Sonic was wearing a rubber duck float around his waist. The footage then cut wide to show Sonic flying through the sky, Knuckles charging forward, and Amy Rose wielding her Piko Piko Hammer for the first time in full cinematic form. This was the first real visual of Kristen Bell’s Amy Rose in action beyond the Sonic 3 post-credits tease.
A separate teaser trailer released on March 19, 2026, featured the Chaos Emeralds prominently, with character reflections visible inside each gem. Carrey’s voiceover as Eggman delivered the line “The chaos has only just begun,” while Paramount’s official channels used the caption “The countdown to chaos has begun.” The repeated emphasis on chaos has led some fans to theorise that the water-based villain Chaos could be lurking behind the Metal Sonic storyline.
The Franchise’s Box Office Track Record
The Sonic film series has been one of the most consistently successful video game adaptations in cinema history. Here is how the three films have performed:
| Film | Year | Worldwide Gross | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic the Hedgehog | 2020 | $319.7 million | $85-90 million |
| Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | 2022 | $405.4 million | $90-110 million |
| Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | 2024 | $492.2 million | $122 million |
| Total | $1.217 billion |
Sonic 3 earned a franchise-best 86% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 96% Verified Hot Popcornmeter score, tying it as the best-reviewed video game film adaptation at the time of release. Each film has outperformed its predecessor at the global box office, setting a strong upward trajectory for the fourth instalment.
What Story Can We Expect?
Plot details remain tightly guarded, but the available clues point in a clear direction. Metal Sonic is expected to serve as the primary villain, with the Sonic CD connection established through both Metal Sonic and Amy Rose’s simultaneous introduction. The Sonic 3 mid-credits scene showed Amy smashing through an army of Metal Sonics, and the forest backdrop in Fowler’s wrap photo suggests the sequel picks up right where that scene left off.
The heavy teasing of the Chaos Emeralds in the March 2026 teaser and at CinemaCon suggests chaos energy will play a significant narrative role. Some fan theories suggest that Chaos, the god-like water villain from Sonic Adventure, could be secretly set up behind the Metal Sonic threat, though this remains speculative.
Paramount has also confirmed an additional Sonic universe spin-off film planned for December 2028, signalling long-term franchise expansion well beyond Sonic 4.
When Will We See the First Full Trailer?
With filming completed in mid-May 2026 and a March 19, 2027 release date locked in, the film is now in post-production. Apart from the March 2026 teaser and the CinemaCon footage, no full trailer has been released yet. Based on the franchise’s previous marketing patterns and the roughly ten-month gap before release, a full trailer could arrive as early as summer or autumn 2026. The early wrap compared to the release timeline gives Paramount ample time for visual effects work and a measured marketing rollout.
Things Worth Knowing Before Sonic 4
Is Kristen Bell the Right Fit for Amy Rose?
Bell brings serious voice-acting credentials. She voiced Anna across the Frozen franchise and Eleanor Shellstrop in The Good Place. Her casting was announced in February 2026, with Ben Schwartz personally sharing the news on Instagram. Bell, Schwartz, and Nick Offerman all previously appeared together in Parks and Recreation, adding a notable reunion element to the cast.
Will Silver the Hedgehog Appear?
Reports indicate Silver will not appear in Sonic 4. Despite Silver being the franchise’s primary time-travelling character, introducing him alongside Amy Rose’s own arc would risk redundancy. The film already juggles Amy, Metal Sonic, Eggman, Shadow, Stone, the Wachowskis, and multiple undisclosed new characters. Silver is widely expected to be saved for a future instalment.
How Does Sonic CD Connect to the Film?
Sonic CD (1993) introduced both Amy Rose and Metal Sonic to the game series. In the game, Metal Sonic kidnaps Amy to lure Sonic into a race, and time travel plays a central role. Fowler has acknowledged this connection, confirming the film honours the chronology of these characters’ introductions, while noting the screenplay will not be a direct adaptation of any single game. The use of the iconic “Sonic Boom” theme from Sonic CD in the teaser trailer further cements the link.
What Is the Release Date?
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is set for theatrical release on March 19, 2027, distributed by Paramount Pictures. The date has been confirmed since late 2024 and remains locked in. An IMAX release has also been indicated.
