Jim Carrey is returning to his role as the villainous Dr. Robotnik in the highly anticipated Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Variety was the first to report this exciting news, much to the delight of fans of the fast-paced and action-packed franchise. Carrey's portrayal of the eccentric and cunning inventor in the previous films was both menacing and hilariously over-the-top, contributing to their overall success at the global box office. Speculation about Carrey's return had been circulating on social media after a teaser featuring Robotnik's iconic laughter was shared.

The first film in the series was a pleasant surprise, as the production team listened to early fan feedback and completely redesigned Sonic's appearance just months before its release.

This move, which stayed true to the original video games, played a significant role in the film's immense success. With such positive reception, a sequel was announced only two months after the first film hit theaters.

While Sonic the Hedgehog 2 didn't receive quite the same level of acclaim as its predecessor, the franchise continues to grow. In addition to Sonic the Hedgehog 3, a spin-off centered around the character Knuckles, portrayed by Idris Elba, is set to be released on Paramount+.

The previous Sonic films have been incredibly successful.

The first film, released in 2020, grossed $319.7 million worldwide on a budget of $85-90 million, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year. It also set the record for the biggest opening weekend for a video game film in the United States and Canada. The sequel, released in 2022, surpassed its predecessor, grossing $405.4 million worldwide. With these numbers, it was almost certain that a follow-up would be made.

The next installment, directed by Jeff Fowler, will continue the story of Sonic. Ben Schwartz will once again provide the voice for the iconic character. The film's production will be overseen by Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, Toru Nakahara, and Hitoshi Okuno. Fans can mark their calendars for December 20, 2024, when Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is set to hit theaters. For more updates on the franchise, keep an eye on Collider. And for those who can't wait, previous films can be streamed on Paramount+.