The introduction of Metal Sonic at the end ofSonic the Hedgehog 3could set up another fan-favorite character joining the cinematic universe inSonic 4. In themid-credits tease ofSonic the Hedgehog 3, our hero is ambushed by a small army of Metal Sonics, a detail which carries interesting implications for the next installment.
Sonic 3went on to become the trilogy’s highest-grossing effort yet, and Paramount has a tough act to follow with their upcoming release of a fourth film in 2027. While devotees of the franchise were thrilled to see the introduction ofa villain as iconic as Metal Sonic, the robot’s inclusion could lay the groundwork for an additional beloved player fromSonic the Hedgehoglore throwing his hat into the ring inSonic 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
The franchise notablyexpanded its lineup ofSoniccharacters when it brought in Metal Sonic, one of the video game franchise’s most iconic villains, appeared during the mid-credits scene ofSonic the Hedgehog 3. In fact,it wasn’t just one Metal Sonic but a small battalion of themwho ambushed thetitular blue speedster right before Amy Rose and her trusty hammercame 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 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.
InSonic the Hedgehogcanon, Metal Sonic is directly linked to Doctor Robotnik, Jim Carrey’s character in the film adaptations.With Robotnik seemingly out of the picturedue 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 upcoming sequel. One potential explanation for this conundrum is that the Metal Sonics are not from the main timeline of the currentSonicflicks butinstead 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
Time travel would not be out of step with the pre-establishedSonic the Hedgehogcanon from the video games. Throughout theSonicseries, 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 ofSonic the Hedgehog 4.
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.
One of the most iconic uses of time travel from theSonic the Hedgehoggames 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 inSoniclore. 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
The franchise’s writers will have a challenging task at hand, attempting to top Metal Sonic and Amy’s debut inSonic 3.
A mainstay of theSonic the Hedgehogcinematic series has beenintroducing a new character in each installment’s respective mid-credits scene. The firstSonicflick 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 Roseto the game. The franchise’s writers will have a challenging task at hand, attempting to top Metal Sonic and Amy’s debut inSonic 3.

One character that could set the Sonic fandom ablaze, similar to those players, would be Silver the Hedgehog. First introduced in theSonic the Hedgehog2006 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 firstSonic the Hedgehogtrilogy, launching Silver into the fold would be the perfect avenue to continue the growing excitement cemented by the end ofSonic the Hedgehog 3and moving intoSonic the Hedgehog 4and beyond.

