The latest sequel in Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise is getting a running start.
Director Jeff Fowler took to social media on Monday to announce that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has begun production. The post includes an image of the filmmaker appearing to wield the hammer that is associated with the franchise’s pink hedgehog Amy Rose, which follows The Hollywood Reporter exclusively revealing last month that Kristen Bell is set to voice the role.
“Ready 4 Action,” Fowler, who helmed the first three movies, captioned his post. “#SonicMovie4 now filming.”
Adapting the popular Sega video game property, the Paramount Pictures feature is set to hit theaters March 19, 2027. Additionally, an untitled film in the franchise will debut theatrically in late 2028.
The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise features Ben Schwartz as the voice of the speedy titular critter, while Idris Elba joined in 2022’s first follow-up as the voice of Knuckles. Jim Carrey, James Marsden and Tika Sumpter round out the film’s live-action cast. Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher and Toru Nakahara return as producers for the fourth movie.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 hit theaters in 2024 and saw Carrey portraying a dual role as Dr. Robotnik and the mad scientist’s grandfather. It surpassed $490 million at the global box office. The franchise, which kicked off with the February 2020 release of Sonic the Hedgehog, has also spawned the Paramount+ series Knuckles.
In his review of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 for THR, chief film critic David Rooney called the movie “a well-balanced, fast-paced blend of action and slapstick comedy that, in this case, takes place in such scenic locales as Tokyo and London.”