Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Was Always Going To Feature This Iconic Sonic Theme

Sega and Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 released in North American theaters last weekend with resounding success, largely in part due to the film’s reverence for the source material. A defining element celebrated among Sonic the Hedgehog fans is the games’ original music, a genre-dipping catalog spanning over three decades that has cemented Sonic as having consistent, quality music. The filmmakers of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 have taken notice of one classic Sonic theme in particular, weaving it into the film’s soundtrack for several significant moments.

Sega’s successful series of Sonic the Hedgehog games was brought to the big screen in the 2020 adaptation of the same name and, despite the pandemic cutting off the theatrical run early, became a success for Paramount. A sequel was released two years later and further proved to be a success for the studio, earning over $400 million at the box office and immediately prompted development on a Paramount+ spin-off series, Knuckles, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The former became the most watched original series on the platform, while the latter is poised to break some franchise-best box office records bolstered by strong audience reception. A positive sentiment commonly echoed among fans is the film’s inclusion of one vocal track that hails from the same game the film loosely adapts.

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Speaking with GamesRadar+, Sonic trilogy director Jeff Fowler, said, “You fire up your Dreamcast and Sonic Adventure 2 and the first thing you’re hearing is licks from ‘Live and Learn’ and Crush 40.” The track was heavily featured in the game and has since become one of the defining songs across the Sonic franchise. “I just felt there was no version of this where we weren’t going to make that a strong presence in the film. The fans would hunt me down if I didn’t,” Fowler said. “Not only did I do it out of fear of my own life, but also because it’s an awesome song and we’re happy to get to use it.”

The inclusion of “Live and Learn” signals the films’ willingness to lean into the more treasured aspects of the Sonic games. Other memorable tracks from the games are also woven into the film’s original soundtrack, among various references and Easter eggs that eagle-eyed fans will easily identify. The reception for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the best in the trilogy and was crowned the winner of the North American box office this past weekend, besting Disney’s Mufasa for the top spot with a debut of $60 million — a figure below Sonic the Hedgehog 2‘s opening of $72 million. Christmastime debuts are often muted and prove their staying power over the course of the holiday frame in the ensuing weeks, where Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is predicted to outgross its predecessor. The film begins its international rollout this upcoming weekend.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continues both the franchise’s critical and commercial growth and the film and television industry’s streak of successful video game adaptations. The Sonic franchise is operating at full steam, as development on Sonic the Hedgehog 4 was announced a day before its official opening and Knuckles’ voice actor, Idris Elba, and Shadow’s voice actor, Keanu Reeves, expressed an interest in reprising their respective roles for a potential spin-off. The Sonic films have come a long way since the disastrous debut of the first film’s original trailer, with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 proving that things are only getting started.

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Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 sets up a new threat for Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails by introducing Shadow the Hedgehog. Shadow presents such a big danger to planet Earth, that the heroes have to team up with Dr. Robotnik.

Source: GamesRadar+