10 Characters That Would Work Well In A Third Film
Robert Clark
Published Mar 30, 2026
A third Sonic the Hedgehog film seems certain right now, but which video game characters should appear in a potential sequel?
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 has proven to be a success amongst audiences and some critics alike. The sequel to the much-loved original introduced characters like Knuckles and Tails, expanding the world further and bringing in those iconic individuals that fans will recognize from the video games. A third installment could push its roster of heroes and villains even further into classic game territory though.
There are countless characters from across the Sonic universe that have yet to make their live-action debut that might fit perfectly into any future part of the series. Although one is practically confirmed, it's likely that Paramount will follow a similar formula and at the very least bring two newbies into the mix.
Shadow
Spoiler the alert! The post-credit sequence for Sonic 2 heavily implied that Shadow would be brought into the sequel. While the narrative direction is currently unclear, it's possible that the character is brought in as an antagonist, before teaming up alongside the currently established group.
His arrival expands the lore of the universe much further, and there are certainly an interesting array of talents that could lend their voice to Shadow. Shadow has a long history within the Sonic franchise and his links to Doctor Robotnik's experiments makes his introduction that much easier.
Metal Sonic
In regards to Dr. Eggman's ridiculous inventions, they could all be leading to a new, genuine antagonist joining this cinematic landscape. Movie-goers have witnessed the kinds of dangerous weapons and robotics that the egotistical scientist is capable of creating.
Metal Sonic was a creation of Eggman in the source material and could follow a similar path on screen. He is an advanced android, capable of replicating the abilities of Sonic and so much more. Since Robotnik can't rely on 'life forms' like Knuckles, perhaps he will turn to those he can control instead.
Amy Rose
Amy Rose is one of the most popular characters from the Sonic franchise and it seems almost criminal that she hasn't been brought in on the adventures alongside Tails. In fact, she has made an impact in plenty of Sonic titles thus far and surely is a shoo-in for a sequel appearance.
The hedgehog character is a major love interest for the protagonist and has, at times, an obsessive crush on him. She's erratic and charming but her temper will sometimes fire off in unexpected ways, with her whimsicality subsiding in favor of genuine ferocity. She'd certainly add a different dynamic to the established team.
Vector
Some of the best Sonic The Hedgehog games actually include an array of antagonists and don't just rely on Robotnik as the lead villain. It would be easy to try to include Vector as a foe at the start any sequel, much like Paramount tried to do with Knuckles.
But this crocodile shouldn't really be judged by his appearance. With a love for music and a kind heart, Vector actually owns his own detective agency and is a very capable investigator. A team-up between Vector and Sonic could lead to some kind of mystery-based adventure for a third film.
Espio
While Vector might lead the Chaotix Detective Agency it's Espio who is perhaps one of the most valued members of the team. A slightly more modern character compared to the rest of the Sonic cast, this chameleon has a range of incredible abilities at his fingertips.
He's almost portrayed as a ninja warrior and has a quiet and calm demeanor. He can strike suddenly, but ultimately Espio is used to going into dangerous situations and hiding in the shadows. He'd be a quality comedy character for a sequel if the Chaotix group were to be introduced.
Silver
Sonic needs to face off against someone who questions his entire worldview, and Silver might be the perfect character to do so. He hails from the far future and has traveled back in time to pursue the justice he becomes so obsessed with. He's often tasked with preventing a timeline from coming to pass.
Every crazy sci-fi series turns to time travel eventually, so why not Sonic? Silver can actually use his mind to manipulate objects, which is a power set that hasn't been seen in the series on-screen and could mix up the action sequences tremendously. The stakes of any adventure would definitely be raised with his inclusion.
Zavok
Zavok is one of the most terrifying villains from the SEGA saga and heavily links into Shadow's own history. While he might be an obscure character to some Sonic audiences, as Robotnik is usually the go-to antagonist, Zavok could absolutely be presented as the final big bad in any follow-up film.
The leader of the Zeti and the villainous Deadly Six, there's no sudden heroic change of heart for this monster, who takes great pleasure in the darkness he creates. In fact, Zavok even uses Eggman's technology to try and achieve world domination, which certainly puts his abilities in perspective, immediately outclassing Robotnik!
Jet
As the leader of the Babylon Rogues, a group of thieves who have operated for centuries, Jet the hawk shouldn't be underestimated. While he's not an antagonist by any means, he's an unpredictable element that could serve as a foil to Sonic's more heroic team.
Their rivalry is certainly legendary, as Jet is obsessed with besting Sonic on his own turf. He wants to be the fastest thing in existence and has come pretty close on a handful of occasions. A subplot involving the Rogues getting involved in Sonic's business might be appropriate for the next movie installment.
Blaze
Blaze has been such a huge part of the Sonic series for a long time and will even make an impact in upcoming shows like Sonic Prime. As the princess of a whole empire from a separate dimension, the character plays into the notion of Sonic's multiverse exploration.
The cat is calm and proud and has been such a reliable ally to sonic over the years. She's been on her own unique arc, discovering friendship and trust for the first time with the group, and could be considered a viable lead in her own right. Her gravitas might be needed for the third part of this trilogy.
Mario
Sonic The Hedgehog has already played around with different dimensions, after all, Earth and Sonic's homeworld are two completely different realities. So why not copy the template that Nintendo has set out and try to cross this universe over with that of Mario's?
The two characters have been rivals for some time, with a number of video game franchises, most notably the Olympic series, seeing Mario and Sonic's respective worlds compete against one another. Even if it's just a quick cameo, gamers would absolutely love this small piece of fan service.
