Sonic 3 may barely have spin-dashed into theaters just yet, but now we already know when to expect the next one.
Variety reports that Paramount is celebrating the solid reviews for the latest entry in the series by confirming that Sonic 4 is already on the way. It’s currently unknown (but, presumably, very likely) whether or not Jeff Fowler, who has directed all of the Sonic films so far, will return for Sonic 4, which is currently eyeing a 2027 release. The news comes as Sonic 3—which hit a series-high Rotten Tomatoes score of 86% when reviews dropped earlier this week—is expected to bring in an estimated $55-60 million in its opening weekend in the U.S.
While exact plot details for a fourth Sonic film are being kept under wraps for now, no one familiar with the films so far should be surprised that the third one is already leaving hints for even more video game characters to make their way to the big screens, after the original set up bringing Tails (and eventually Idris Elba’s Knuckles) into the sequel, and Sonic 2 laid the way for Shadow’s major role in Sonic 3.
“It’s fun to see the fan debates online about who’s coming up next, who’s going to be teased at the end of the film. We have a lot of the same conversations,” Fowler recently told Entertainment Weekly. “We’ve all got our favorites on the filmmaking side, and we’re all making great cases for ‘it should be this one or that one.’ It is fun to keep that anticipation. This movie is no different in terms of teasing new characters.”
We won’t have to wait long to see who Sonic and friends will be going up against next, with Sonic 3 hitting theaters tomorrow, December 20.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.