by Jonas Reichel on August 9, 2023

Sonic returns: Filming is officially scheduled to begin this September on part three of the popular video game adaptation - regardless of the actors' strike. The solution to the problem is surprisingly simple.

It's understandable that they didn't want to wait any longer to produce "Sonic 3". For Paramount Pictures, the previous movie adaptations of the iconic hedgehog proved to be extremely successful. "Sonic 1" and "Sonic 2" collectively grossed over $700 million worldwide. It was therefore unsurprising that, in addition to the planned spin-off series "Knuckles", a third part of the film series was also announced. However, when the actors' strike came into effect on July 14, 2023, all movie and TV productions were put on hold for an unknown period of time - including "Sonic 3".

Nevertheless, Screen Daily now reports that they have apparently found a way to carry out the filming despite the ongoing strike. It was announced that the production team for "Sonic 3" will start shooting in September of this year without the actor's involvement. The filming location in London proves to be extremely beneficial for the production, as there are no picketing guidelines in the UK that could prevent a production from taking place without the actors. Sonic and his companions are CGI characters anyway, and the new Shadow the Hedgehog character also originates from the computer. So it should be an easy task to devote some of the production to them first. The actors' scenes would then be added after the strike is over. However, it is already suspected that they will play a rather minor role in the third part anyway.

Fans are likely to be relieved that the planned release date of December 20, 2024 remains unchanged. For the strikers, on the other hand, this news puts a damper on the situation, because any production that continues despite the strike is likely to considerably reduce the pressure on the opposing side. Still: The full production of "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" can only be concluded after the strike is over - in the end, things can't be done without the actors.