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Interview: Tika Sumpter Talks ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ and Why the Franchise’s Third Installment is Bigger and Better than Its Predecessors
December 19, 2024Ben MK
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With a blockbuster film franchise under its 16-bit belt, Sonic the Hedgehog has proven to be one of those rare success stories of the video game genre. Whereas fans of popular games like Street Fighter, Doom and Borderlands have been treated to less-than-stellar adaptations of these beloved titles, Sonic fans have been fortunate enough to get not one but two hit movies, as well as a Knuckles spin-off series on Paramount+. Now, with Sonic the Hedgehog 3, everyone's favorite blue blur is back to once again save the day on the big screen. And in keeping with the tradition established by the previous entries, Sonic (Ben Schwartz), his adoptive parents, Maddie (Tika Sumpter) and Tom (James Marsden), and their friends, Tails (Colleen O'Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba), will have to work together if they're to defeat the megalomaniacal Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) — only this time, they'll also have to contend with Robotnik's genius grandfather, Ivo (also Carrey), and a mysterious new adversary named Shadow (Keanu Reeves). I caught up with Tika Sumpter to chat about Sonic the Hedgehog 3, how this third movie compares to the first two, and what it was like sharing the screen with Keanu Reeves and not one, but two Jim Carreys. This is your third time playing in the sandbox that's the Sonic the Hedgehog cinematic universe — fourth if you count the Knuckles show. What has it been like reprising your role as Maddie, and, for you, how did making this third film in the franchise compare to the previous two? Sumpter: It's been incredible to come back to a successful movie franchise that keeps growing, and getting larger and expanding the worlds — going to London, going to Tokyo this time. And the thing that drew me in was, again, the way they add characters, it just makes sense. The story continues to make sense, and the writing continues to get better with every [installment]. And, you know, Jeff Fowler directing is always a yes for me, because he's just a really amazing person and director. I think the newness of this is — you got a new character in Keanu Reeves with Shadow, you get two Jim Carreys, you know, he's playing Grandpa and Robotnik. And then also, everything's just bigger. The set pieces are bigger, it's just more expansive, and it keeps growing. 
This movie is full of everything fans of the games will love. Were you a fan of the Sonic games from the beginning? And how has your love for the game franchise grown since the first film?Sumpter: Yeah, I mean I was a little girl when it first came out. My brother's older than me and very much a gamer — one of the gamers who would not let somebody touch his controller. So I was watching more often than playing. But I've known about Sonic and the Rings and all the cool little Easter eggs, obviously. As I've gotten older, I've learned a little bit more. And also, my daughter, who's eight, knows probably way more than I do. But I continue to learn and continue to grow and recognize that the fans are completely into it. The entire cast is fantastic, including yourself, but there are two standouts — Keanu Reeves, of course, as Shadow, and Jim Carrey, who pulls double duty this time around as Ivo and Gerald Robotnik. What was it like working with them, or at least sharing the screen with them? Sumpter: Sharing the screen with Jim Carrey — I grew up watching him. And all of the amazing, the filmography that he has, you're just in awe of him. Even when you see him on set, you're just like, "Wow, he's not afraid to try different things." And then, Keanu — [the first movie I saw] with him was probably Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. So, watching these cinematic giants voice these characters, and then actually get to hang out with them — it's a pinch-me moment. I feel like I'm living in a dream of the little girl I was. There are so many fun sequences in the movie. But was there a scene that was a personal favorite of yours? Sumpter: One of my favorite scenes is probably the action scene where James [Marsden] and I get to be part of the helping of trying to save the world. 
Last but not least, what do you want viewers to take away from Sonic the Hedgehog 3? And if you could use Sonic's Rings to travel to anywhere in real life, where would it be and why?Sumpter: I think I would go to Tokyo, if I could use his Rings like right now, and go get some really good food. And also go to Disney [World] and all those things. [laughs] |
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is in theaters December 20th.
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