Custom image by Debanjana Chowdhury

Keanu Reeves’ Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Shadow casting is perfect for both the franchise and Reeves, but it breaks a career trend that lasted for eight years. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 wrapped filming recently, which confirms Reeves’ Shadow casting while also setting the anticipation high for what’s to come. Although many of the cast from the first two movies are returning for the third installment, Reeves’ casting as Shadow the Hedgehog is arguably the most exciting thing about the upcoming movie given his usual body of work. However, the role breaks an interesting career trend for the beloved actor.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s ending provided audiences with a brief, yet memorable, cameo of the beloved video game character, Shadow the Hedgehog. While his cameo appearance was met with praise by audiences, it immediately sparked conversations regarding who would voice him over. Reeves’ monotone vocal delivery combined with his popularity among general audiences makes him the perfect choice for Shadow, but it also sees the actor do something that he isn’t known to do in his career. However, the new role is still one of Reeves’ most exciting.

The 10 Best Keanu Reeves Characters, Ranked

Throughout his career, Keanu Reeves has brought various characters to life, with a select few emerging as the most iconic figures in his filmography.Keanu Reeves’ Shadow Is His First Villainous Role Since 2016’s The Bad Batch

Reeves Played Cult Leader The Dream In The Bad Batch

Shadow the Hedgehog marks Reeves’ first villainous role since 2016’s The Bad Batch, as he’s mostly known for playing heroes or anti-heroes. In The Bad Batch, Reeves plays The Dream, a cult-like leader who leads a harem of impregnated young women in his luxurious mansion known as Comfort. Although Reeve’s The Dream isn’t the most evil character in cinematic history, it still marked the last time the actor played a villain prior to his work as Shadow the Hedgehog. While Shadow the Hedgehog will be Reeves’ latest villain role, he has played villains before.

Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey marked Reeves’ first villain role, as Ted has an evil form from a parallel universe. Much Ado About Nothing sees Reeves as Don John, the leader of a failed rebellion who attempts to kill his honorable brother, Don Pedro, Prince of Aragon, and usurp his position. The Gift sees Reeves as an abusive father and husband suspected of murder, and The Watcher features him as a serial killer. Man of Tai Chi features Reeves as the leader of an underground criminal organization, but it made up his last villain role before The Bad Batch.

Keanu Reeves’ Lack Of Recent Villain Roles Makes Shadow More Exciting

Reeves Could Make Shadow More Sympathetic Than Other Villains

Reeves’ take on the character will be interesting because of Shadow’s complex history, and Reeves’ ability to make most of his characters sympathetic.

Reeves has cultivated a successful career that largely sees him take on heroic roles, which makes his turn as one of gaming history’s most beloved villainous characters an interesting choice. While Shadow the Hedgehog isn’t nearly as evil as some of the franchise’s more notable villains, like Dr. Robotnik, Metal Sonic, and Infinite, his introduction to the series sees him as one of Sonic’s most formidable opponents. Reeves’ take on the character will be interesting because of Shadow’s complex history, and Reeves’ ability to make most of his characters sympathetic.

Reeves is notable for making his characters sympathetic no matter the genre, so his take on Shadow the Hedgehog will see a faithful adaptation of the games’ version.

Shadow the Hedgehog was created by Gerald Robotnik to be the “Ultimate Life Form,” using DNA from Black Doom. The first creation of Project Shadow, Shadow lived most of his early life confused after discovering he was created to be a weapon of mass destruction. After learning the truth, Shadow goes through great lengths to carve his own path in life, which makes him an occasional ally to Sonic & Co. Reeves is notable for making his characters sympathetic no matter the genre, so his take on Shadow the Hedgehog will see a faithful adaptation of the games’ version.

Why Keanu Reeves Rarely Plays Villains In His Movies

Keanu Reeves Excels In Heroic Or Even Anti-Heroic Roles

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Reeves rarely takes on villainous roles because he’s one of those actors who are virtually impossible to hate. Despite taking on villainous roles, Reeves has enjoyed the most success when playing good guys, as seen from his work in the Bill & Ted franchise, Point Break, Speed, The Matrix franchises. Even in instances where Reeves plays an anti-hero, such as Constantine and the John Wick franchise, he plays his characters in a way that makes them perpetually likable. To then flip the switch and take on more villainous roles likely wouldn’t work out all too well for his image.

Some of Reeves’ best work sees him start his films off as a fish-out-of-water who struggles to cope with his circumstances before eventually rediscovering himself and helping people. Although he’s demonstrated his range in movies with a select few villainous roles, Reeves’ natural likability makes it too difficult to suspend one’s disbelief and actually see him as a force for evil. With Shadow the Hedgehog’s complex history and Reeves’ impressive body of work, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be a welcome addition to Reeves’ filmography, despite breaking his good guy record.