Keanu Reeves may have encountered cursed online acquaintances while preparing for his role as Shadow the Hedgehog for Sonic 3something even darker than his role as Johnny Silverhand Cyberpunk 2077.

Director Jeff Fowler praised Reeves’ commitment to the character during Sonic Revolution Stream Shadow Revolution online (hat tip to GamesRadar). “He thinks the character is awesome and he definitely got what we were going for and was really excited to do his version,” he teased of his performance.

It’s very clear that Shadow’s big presence in three sequences, coupled with Reeves’s fitting voice, could be the biggest secret weapon that Sonic 3 has to come out with a decent amount of box office during the holiday season 2024 incredibly busy. SEGA knows this, which is why expanded the actor’s role to a sizeable portion of Sonic X Shadow Generations as well.

Fowler confirmed that Keanu didn’t just show up to do quick takes. Instead, “He’d give us so many different versions of line readings and just want us to keep going,” which sounds 100% like Keanu Reeves. The veteran actor has been repeatedly praised by his collaborators and even random people who have met him. Sure, we know something like Sonic 3 could be an easy payday for many actors, but after doing such extensive work and marketing for Cyberpunk 2077, it’s no surprise that Shadow’s voice is right up his alley.

The director went on to do all the work Reeves put into the voice acting: “He really wanted to create a true version of the character. He did research. It was wonderful. I can’t say enough great things about Keanu and what he brought to the character and the experience of making this movie, I think people are really going to love his version of Shadow. The question in my mind now is: Did he also run into the damn Shadow the Hedgehog media? How deep did he go down the rabbit hole?

Now I hope someone nerdy enough asks him about the Sonic fan art debacle when the press tour starts; Reeves is also a notoriously fun person to talk to, so I’m sure he’d have something interesting to say about that side of the Sonic fandom.

Before the movie December 20, 2024release date, it looks like Sonic diehards will be eating well this final time of the year, regardless of the final quality of the threequel, as Sonic X Shadow Generations it’s a certified banger.