Production on Sonic the Hedgehog 4 wrapped this week, with director Jeff Fowler announcing the news on social media alongside a set photo featuring the film’s robotic antagonist, Metal Sonic. The image is the first confirmation that the villain appears in the fourth entry of the Paramount/Sega franchise, which opens in theaters on March 19, 2027.
Fowler has directed every film in the series since the original 2020 release, guiding the franchise through three increasingly successful installments. “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,” he wrote.
Cast and characters in Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Ben Schwartz returns as the voice of Sonic, while Kristen Bell joins as the voice of Amy Rose, one of Sonic’s closest companions from the games. Amy Rose has been part of the franchise since the 1993 game Sonic CD, but this marks her first appearance in the film series. Live-action cast members Jim Carrey, James Marsden, and Tika Sumpter also return. Producers are Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, and Toru Nakahara.
What Metal Sonic’s arrival means for Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Metal Sonic is a robotic duplicate of Sonic built by Dr. Eggman, first introduced in Sonic CD in 1993. He has appeared in dozens of titles across the franchise over the past three decades and is one of its most recognizable antagonists. His inclusion follows the approach taken in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which introduced Shadow the Hedgehog, voiced by Keanu Reeves, as a central character. Shadow’s addition was a major draw for that film and contributed to its record box office performance. Both Metal Sonic and Shadow rank among the most requested characters from the broader Sonic game universe, and the franchise has now introduced each in back-to-back films.
Franchise numbers heading into 2027
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 arrives on the back of a franchise that has crossed $1 billion in combined global box office. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 earned over $490 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing entry. It opened at No. 1 domestically for two consecutive weeks and topped charts in more than 30 international markets, including the U.K., Mexico, Italy, and Australia.
Home entertainment extended that run. Global consumer spending on rentals and purchases exceeded $180 million, adding substantially to the film’s overall commercial total beyond the theatrical window.
With production complete, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 moves into post-production. The March 19, 2027 release leaves roughly ten months for editing, visual effects, and the full marketing campaign.