Sonic the Hedgehog 3introduces a myriad of new threats to the franchise’s universe, including both fresh foes and unlikely alliances. In a way, Jim Carrey’sDr. Ivo Robotnik is a heroin the latest film, joining up with Team Sonic to take down Shadow, a dangerous, escaped military experiment. Many cast members have returned alongside Carrey, like James Marsden as Sonic’s adopted father, Idris Elba as Knuckles, and Ben Schwartz as the speedy titular hedgehog, and Keanu Reeves has come on board to play the aforementioned new villain.
Though Ivo and Team Sonic have put aside their differences, the same can’t be said for the entire Robotnik family. In this installment, Ivo is reunited with his grandfather Gerald, and the pair don’t always see eye to eye. With this addition, Carrey often acts in scenes with himself inSonic 3, in some ways pushing his acting to new limits. Team Sonic and Ivo don’t just have to deal with the major threat of Shadow, who possesses strong powers never seen before, but with Gerald’s dubious true intentions as well.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3: Everything You Need To Know
Paramount turned Sonic’s live-action adventures into a trilogy with Sonic The Hedgehog 3 - including introducing a key rival from the games.
Screen Rantinterviewed Jim Carrey to discuss hisnew character inSonic 3, returning for future films, and what he likes most about being a part of the franchise.
Playing Two Characters Was “Very Difficult” For Carrey
The Art & Challenges Of Performing A Well-Defined Dual Role
Screen Rant: This isn’t necessarily your first time playing multiple roles in one project. You’ve done it for Count Olaf as variousdisguises inLemony Snicket,and also Charlie versus Hank inMe, Myself and Irene. But this feels like the first time you’re venturing to play multiple characters, ala, Eddie Murphy inThe Nutty Professor. What was it like performing against yourself in Ivo and Gerald’s scenes together while also giving them distinct personalities?
Jim Carrey: It’s a very technically difficult thing to do. First of all, you’ve got to start with the personalities. You’ve got to start with the fact that Gerald’s a little bit of a tougher generation than Ivo, and Ivo just gets all gooey when he finds out he has a grandfather. And Gerald is the rock that he crawled out from under. But they’re a little bit different in their kind of aims, they’re just a little bit different, and we find out why.
The physical act of performing in the same scene with , I don’t know how Eddie did it, because it was really something. It was very difficult, and I had a wonderful actor named Brendan Murphy who jumped in with me, and he did the other part. I would do Robotnik and he would do Gerald, and I would do Gerald and he’d do Robotnik, and I’d be sitting there as Robotnik performing and telling him how I may eventually do that side of the character.
Then, when I was that side of the character, I’d be reminding him of how I maybe did that side of the character. It was very technically difficult. A lot of times I was acting with him, but I was reacting to a disembodied voice that I had done the day before coming from the ceiling somewhere. It’s a trick - acting these days, it’s a lot of imagination and a lot of pantomime.
Carrey Is “Not Against” Returning For More Sonic Films
What The Franchise’s Future Holds & The Most Gratifying Part Of Carrey’s Role
This movie features two crazy post-credit scenes that it’s sure to see fan excitement skyrocket. Now there’s obviously a lot of hubbub whether or not you were going to return forSonic 3, but considering how good these movies are, do you feel confident that you’ll be back for a fourth installment?
Jim Carrey: I don’t want to say for sure, but it always comes down to what’s happening in the moment. The guys, Toby Ascher and Jeff Fowler, call me up and say, “We have this idea, what do you think? And where we can take Robotnik?” So it really comes down to that. I’m not against, it for sure. I’m having a fantastic time and I love the fans. I love the whole lore around the piece, and the game and everything, so it’s a really strong circle to be in.
I love also that these new guys, Keanu Reeves, and Idris Elba, and all these wonderful people are signing off and going, “Wow, these are the guys that every guy would love to be. Why are they jumping into this world?” [Laughs] They love something about it, and I think it’s the heart of this franchise.
It’s a perfect franchise for families. I love watching this with my kid.
Jim Carrey: It is. That’s a very gratifying thing to be able to say that. I get the same kick from The Grinch at Christmas time. I know people are going to be watching it, and that’s an exciting thing for me. That makes me feel good. Anything that brings a family out to the theater together is great. I think this is going to entertain people, it’s going to bring ‘em together, and it’s going to heal shingles. [Laughs]
More About Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.
