Attention: Mild SPOILERS Ahead for Sonic the Hedgehog 3!
The forthcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has sparked significant excitement, particularly surrounding the potential involvement of Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog. This speculation gained traction thanks to a clever nod in the original film, where Sonic is seen watching Reeves’ iconic movie Speed from the home of Tom and Maddie. However, during discussions about the latest installment, writer Pat Casey revealed that a much-anticipated reference to Reeves in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 didn’t quite make the cut.
In a conversation with CinemaBlend, Casey and co-writer Josh Miller explored various references to Reeves’ film career. Casey shared that they considered incorporating the iconic line, “Guns, lots of guns,”from both The Matrix and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. Ultimately, they decided against it due to challenges in context. Here’s the insight Casey provided:
It didn’t make the movie, but we were definitely tempted to [ask], “Is there a way we can get Shadow to say things like, ‘Guns, lots of guns?’ He’s already said that in two other franchises, just like really carry it forward.
Implications of the Excluded Reference for Sonic the Hedgehog 3
The Film Still Features Multiple Reeves-Inspired Nods
While the tribute to Reeves from The Matrix and John Wick was sidelined, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is not devoid of references to Reeves’ work. One notable instance occurs during Ivo and Gerald’s inaugural meeting, where one of the younger Robotnik’s test scenarios includes calculating the outcome of dividing the speed of light by the duration of bus travel depicted in Speed. Additionally, in an epic showdown, Shadow mirrors moves reminiscent of Neo fighting Agent Smith in the climactic battle of The Matrix.
However, the writers acknowledged that including a scene where Shadow expresses a desire for more guns could have risked controversy for Sonic the Hedgehog 3. While the brief moment of Shadow seizing a firearm while on a motorcycle serves as a subtle homage to the game’s legacy, stretching this concept could have led to negative associations, akin to the criticisms faced by the Shadow the Hedgehog spinoff game notorious for its gun-related imagery despite the franchise’s family-friendly reputation.
Our Perspective on the Omitted Keanu Reeves Reference in Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Steering Clear of Controversy Was a Wise Decision
While Shadow’s character has evolved, gaining favor over time, his initial portrayal drew polarized responses in the Sonic franchise, especially concerning his eponymous spinoff. Therefore, integrating him into Sonic the Hedgehog 3 required careful navigation. Excluding the Matrix/John Wick mention likely helped avoid unnecessary scrutiny that could have detracted from Shadow’s inaugural performance in a live-action format.
For more insights, you can refer to the original source on CinemaBlend. For further discussion and visuals, check out this Screen Rant article.
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