Idris Elba Excited for Keanu Reeves Joining Sonic Universe as Shadow Voice

Elba Looks Forward to Reunion with Reeves in Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Renowned actor Idris Elba has expressed his enthusiasm over the news of Keanu Reeves stepping into the Sonic the Hedgehog universe as the voice of Shadow for the franchise’s third cinematic installment. Elba, who voices Knuckles the Echidna in the series, shared his sentiments during the red carpet premiere of the upcoming Paramount+ series “Knuckles.”

“I’m a big fan of his,” Elba conveyed in an interview with IGN. “I’ve heard that he’s a fan of mine, and we are destined to make something together. So, here we go.”

Elba and Reeves previously collaborated, lending their voices to characters in Cyberpunk 2077, making Sonic the Hedgehog 3 a reunion for the talented actors.

Shadow, an anthropomorphic red-striped black hedgehog created by the government with abilities akin to Sonic’s, made a cameo appearance during a mid-credits scene in 2022’s Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Elba continues his role as the voice of Knuckles in the Paramount+ series, set to premiere on April 26. The live-action series serves as both a sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and a prequel to the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

In “Knuckles,” viewers follow the titular character on a quest of self-discovery as he takes on the responsibility of training Wade, portrayed by Adam Pally, as his protégé, imparting the ways of the Echidna warrior. The series boasts a star-studded cast including Stockard Channing, Edi Patterson, Scott Mescudi, Ellie Taylor, Julian Barratt, Rory McCann, Cary Elwes, Christopher Lloyd, Paul Scheer, and Rob Huebel.

Additionally, special guest stars Ben Schwartz and Tika Sumpter will reprise their roles as Sonic and Maddie, respectively, while Colleen O’Shaughnessey returns in her role as Tails.