You are here: Home > Recent > News > Sonic 4 Is Coming, a Spin-Off Is Set — Now Fans Wait on Jim Carrey
NEWS
Sonic 4 Is Coming, a Spin-Off Is Set — Now Fans Wait on Jim Carrey
20 Dec 2025 By Tommy Pihl (Editor-in-Chief)
For Jim Carrey fans, the Sonic the Hedgehog universe has been an unexpected and joyful chapter in the legendary comedian’s career. Across the first three Sonic films, Jim’s larger-than-life take on Dr. Robotnik helped define the tone of the franchise—wild, physical, unpredictable, and unapologetically fun. Now, as Paramount officially expands the Sonic Universe with a brand-new spin-off movie, fans are once again asking the big question: Will Jim Carrey return?
While the answer remains a mystery for now, there’s plenty to be excited about.
Paramount isn’t slowing down its biggest blue moneymaker. The studio has officially announced a new Sonic the Hedgehog spin-off movie—part of what it’s calling the “Sonic Universe”—set to hit theaters on December 22, 2028, one year after Sonic the Hedgehog 4. Produced by Neal H. Moritz’s Original Film in partnership with SEGA Sammy Group, the project marks Sonic’s first big-screen appearance following the blockbuster success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
That third film, released in the pre-Christmas window, exploded out of the gate with $60.1 million domestically, eventually racing to $236.1 million in North America and $492.1 million worldwide. With that performance, the Sonic trilogy reached a staggering $1.2 billion global total, cementing the franchise as one of Paramount’s most reliable hits—and virtually guaranteeing its future.
That future includes Sonic the Hedgehog 4, which is already scheduled to premiere in March 2027. Filming for Sonic 4 is expected to begin next year, and while casting details are still under wraps, fans are holding their breath to see whether Jim Carrey will once again step into the mad-scientist shoes of Dr. Robotnik—or perhaps evolve into something even more unexpected.
Jim has been a major creative force in the Sonic films so far. His performance didn’t just bring nostalgia for fans of Ace Ventura and The Mask—it gave the franchise a villain who was genuinely fun to watch, scene-stealing, and endlessly quotable. Even as Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles expanded the universe, Robotnik remained the human anchor, grounding the chaos with pure Jim Carrey energy.
That’s why his potential involvement in Sonic 4 matters so much. The story possibilities are wide open. Will Robotnik return in full villain mode? Could we see a twisted redemption arc? Or might the franchise surprise us by reshaping his role entirely? For Jim Carrey fans, the hope is simple: one more chance to see him go all-in, physically and comedically, in a role that clearly let him cut loose.
The newly announced spin-off movie, however, adds another intriguing layer. Slated for release in December 2028, this Sonic Universe film is a separate project from Sonic 4, suggesting a character-focused or world-expanding story—much like Paramount+’s Knuckles series. That show became the streamer’s #1 Kids & Family title ever, racking up more than 11 million global hours watched in its first month. Clearly, audiences are hungry for more stories set in this universe, even when Sonic himself isn’t always front and center.
Whether the spin-off focuses on an established character, introduces a new fan favorite, or explores the darker corners of the Sonic world, it also raises another tantalizing question: could Jim Carrey appear there instead—or as well? A surprise cameo, a parallel storyline, or even a post-credit tease could keep Robotnik alive in the franchise without repeating old beats.
As far as modern multimedia franchises go, Sonic has quietly become one of Paramount’s most consistent performers. And for Jim Carrey fans, that consistency comes with hope. Hope that Sonic 4, with filming expected to begin next year, will once again tap into the manic brilliance that only Jim can deliver. Hope that the Sonic Universe spin-off will keep the door open for his return. And hope that one of comedy’s greatest physical performers isn’t quite done racing alongside the world’s fastest hedgehog.
For now, we wait—but in the Sonic universe, waiting has a way of paying off fast.
We at JCO will keep you updated as more news come.
-- Click to comment this article.
Overview | Older article »
