Sonic the Hedgehog 2 sped into cinemas earlier this year and proceeded to break all sorts of video game records. As was the case with the first movie, the sequel ended with a credits scene that introduced a new, very recognizable character from the Sonic universe. As government officials scour the wreckage of Eggman's mech for evidence that the enemy has finally been felled, they receive word that Project Shadow is still in existence, at which point the dark hedgehog is shown in a lab somewhere, presumably off-planet.

As it turns out, the lab shown at the end of the movie is almost definitely off-planet. As has now been clarified during a Q&A with Sonic writers Josh Miller and Patrick Casey (via ComicBook.com), Shadow's story in Sonic 3 will pull from Sonic Adventure 2, the first game in which he appeared, and also his solo spinoff which followed four years later.

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“I don't think it's revealing anything to say we'd love to incorporate elements from Sonic Adventure 2 and Shadow the Hedgehog, his solo spinoff game,” Miller said. Sonic Adventure 2 is now more than 20 years old, a reminder that likely makes those of you who originally played it on Dreamcast feel a little old. If you've never played it and don't want its ending, or the potential plot for Sonic 3, spoiled, you might want to stop reading here.

Shadow in Shadow the Hedgehog

As is the case with Knuckles in Sonic 3 the game, and the second Sonic movie, Shadow starts life in the blue blur's universe as an enemy but eventually aligns with Sonic before the end of Sonic Adventure 2. In fact, Shadow seemingly dies at the end of the first game in which he appears, although thankfully that death doesn't stick. Shadow returned in his very own spinoff in 2005 and has been in various other Sonic games ever since.

What elements from Shadow's incredibly dark backstory Miller and Casey plan on using for his on-screen adaptation will be very interesting. Clearly, that Shadow was created in a lab, as is the case in the games, has already been confirmed. Whether his creator will have been Gerald Robotnik, Dr. Eggman's grandfather, and if Maria Robotnik, the iconic villain's cousin, is shot down by GUN soldiers remains unknown. Maria gave her life so Shadow could escape from Robotnik's lab, a scene recreation that would set an incredibly dark mood right off the bat should it open Sonic 3.

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