The first look at the highly anticipated Shrek 5 debuted recently, stirring up a whirlwind of reactions from the internet. While some fans were thrilled to see their favorite ogre duo, others were less enchanted by the updated visuals.

The 30-second teaser also served as a cast announcement, reuniting fans with Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey while introducing a new character in Felicia, the daughter of Shrek and Fiona who is voiced by Zendaya. Alongside the new addition, Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy are all set to reprise their roles.

Shrek 5 is the direct follow-up to Shrek Forever After, the fourth installment in the franchise, which was released back in 2010. Since then, the series has expanded with two spin-offs — Puss in Boots (2011) and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) — keeping the beloved fairytale world alive. Fans have been waiting for a glimpse of the new film since it was first announced, and now that the short teaser has arrived, the reactions are pouring in, especially regarding Shrek’s different appearance.

Reactions on X varied, with some pointing out that overall, the animation “looks so off when compared to every other Shrek.” One wrote that Shrek, the first movie in the franchise released in 2001, looked better than Shrek 5. Some, however, defended the creative choice, saying that because it has been more than a decade since the last movie came out, there are bound to be some changes in the animation. Others commented that they didn’t even notice the difference apart from a bit of aging, which seems appropriate since Shrek is older in the movie.

Some fans pointed out that it’s not too late to make some changes, just like what infamously happened to Sonic the Hedgehog (2020). When the trailer for that animation first dropped in 2019, the backlash was instant. Sonic was widely criticized for having human teeth and many called him “ugly.” The design was so different from the video game character fans grew up with, and they weren’t having it. In response, the production team took the and overhauled Sonic, which delayed the film’s release. The result? A much-improved Sonic that was ultimately well-received, spawning sequels due to its success.

Sonic also ed in on the social media discussion about Shrek’s new look, posting a TikTok video on their official (@sonicmovie) and offering a few words of advice accompanied by a clip of the glow-up Sonic got after receiving comments from die-hard fans. The clip’s text read, “for any green ogres looking for advice.” In the caption, they wrote, “Take notes!” presumably in a call-out to DreamWorks, the studio behind Shrek 5. The TikTok video has been viewed more than 13 million times as of writing.

Shrek 5 was originally scheduled to be released in July 2026, but it has since been pushed back to Dec. 2026 to coincide with DreamWorks Animation’s 25th anniversary. With plenty of time before it hits theaters, the question remains: Will they take the into and change Shrek’s look just like what was done with Sonic? Or will they stand by their creative vision? Only time will tell. 

Of all the critters and characters that populate the pop culture sphere, none have taken a journey quite like Sonic the Hedgehog. The blue blur was once a legitimate competitor to Super Mario himself back in the heyday of the console wars, but after modern gaming did him dirty with a string of mediocre-to-offensively bad titles, Sonic came to rely on internet brain rot and the occasional animated series for relevance.

With Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the motion-happy mammal has found himself in an unfortunate case of déjà vu, because after a relatively strong first two films in this franchise, this third entry has taken a nosedive not dissimilar to his decline in the late aughts. Jim Carrey, of course, offers enough signs of life to prevent a total power failure, and yet, he perhaps also serves as Exhibit A for how not to handle these characters on the big screen, a failure that’s made extra bitter by how steadily they’ve been handled up until now.

The film stars Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, who’s celebrating the anniversary of his arrival on Earth with his adoptive human parents Tom and Maddie (James Marsden and Tika Sumpter), as well as his best friends and world-saving teammates Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba). But when a brand new threat emerges in the form of the severely overpowered and equally angsty Shadow the Hedgehog (Keanu Reeves), Sonic and friends must form an unlikely alliance with Dr. Ivo Robotnik (Jim Carrey) to prevent the destruction of Earth.

Let’s be frank for a moment. No one is walking into this movie expecting any sort of heavy character drama or emotional takeaways more sizeable than you would find in a fortune cookie, and the Sonic films are in a unique position where aiming for such a target would be detrimental to the best versions of these films. Culturally speaking, Sonic is engrained in the zeitgeist through fan fiction as much as his games at this point, cemented as a spunky, trash-talking, swaggering teenager surrounded by an ensemble of colorful characters. Moreover, the real-world setting of these movies allows Sonic to organically play with references the way that Tom Holland’s Spider-Man or a real teenager beginning to discover their interests might.

With all of this in mind, it’s clear that the best plan of attack here is highly stylized and youthfully emphasized character dynamics while playing Sonic as a sort of static, anime-protagonist type, where the story lies in how he changes the people around him rather than what he learns. All this, and you wouldn’t even need to sacrifice fan service.

But instead, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 haphazardly slaps together another “your past doesn’t define you, your choices do” emotional core for Sonic’s clash with Shadow, complete with same side-eye of duality that we already got when Sonic faced off against Knuckles in the last movie (Shadow is even manipulated like Knuckles was). It’s an approach that tries to play itself as serious, but is too shoddily written to be taken seriously, is downplayed by the film’s sense of humor at every turn, and isn’t even a worthwhile pursuit in the first place because of how moot it is in the context of Sonic’s character.

And really, that’s the problem across the board; Sonic the Hedgehog 3 doesn’t have a plan or an idea beyond “blockbuster with Sonic characters,” and so it ends up going through the tired motions of the moment (including exhausting meta humor, CGI swirls, and vague epiphanies that have little to do with anything that’s happening) until the film’s end.

What’s worse, so much time is spent on this completely unnecessary third arc for Sonic, that it takes away from any potential development of Tails, Knuckles, and even Shadow, all of whom spend far more time on the fringes than they ought to. Had they been utilized more fully, the film’s friendship beats would have landed much more smoothly, and Shadow could have even been played as an antihero protagonist of sorts. Instead, Sonic’s ing cast doesn’t truly as anything more than knobs for the set piece choreography, and in a Sonic film, that’s unacceptable, and entirely unsustainable if this franchise wants to spread its wings beyond 2027’s already-confirmed Sonic 4.

Then there’s the matter of Jim Carrey, who has consistently been the brightest spot in this franchise since it first landed nearly four years ago, and who, for that exact reason, suffers the most in the jump to Sonic 3. Carrey plays a dual role here, as his tried-and-true Eggman persona alongside Eggman’s grandfather, Dr. Gerald Robotnik, and there’s a scene in the movie where they say, in unison: “It’s almost like we’re two characters played by the same actor in a movie,” while looking at the camera.

Indeed, there’s no more efficient way to telegraph throwing in the towel than by vomiting up the most grotesquely insulting audience wink you can muster so as to try and distract from the lack of filmmaking competence on display (also among these infractions is a crack about hate-watching 2011’s Green Lantern).

And it only gets worse from there. The irreverence of Carrey’s Robotnik was always a boon because of his genuinely clever dialogue and the relatively complex gags that came from it, so why waste time on a slapstick grandson-grandfather bonding montage and a weird dance sequence in the middle of a G.U.N. base heist? You can stick anybody in a funny costume and make them do funny dance moves, so why even use Carrey here if you’re not taking full advantage of his ability to verbally sell razor-sharp eccentricity?

In fact, the dialogue for just about everyone is noticeably less vibrant, which is largely the result of the film making a point to talk to the audience rather than have the characters talk to each other and engage with the world around them. Sonic says things like “Everyone loves my catchphrase” while cracking jokes that sound like they came from an AI trained on Butch Hartman cartoons; a far cry from the charming, teenage stereotype-coded quips that made the character so popular in the first place, and which were even utilized relatively well in the first two films.

There’s no reason the Sonic films can’t course-correct from here, and with an endless supply of characters and material to still adapt (from the Sega Genesis games to the Nintendo Switch titles, all the way to the gonzo Archie Comics if they so dare), these movies will likely keep coming so long as ticket sales stay strong.

But Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a confoundingly massive dip in quality from the surprisingly steady kickoff to this franchise, having traded in a decent interpretation of the source material’s personality for faithless, recycled proceedings that are offputtingly eager to please. And for God’s sake, retire the film-original human characters already.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is now in theaters, but this isn’t the only gift fans of the franchise are getting this holiday season. In fact, today has provided something we all assumed would happen, but now finally have confirmation.

The third Sonic the Hedgehog movie hits theaters today. It introduces several new characters, most notably Shadow the Hedgehog, who is voiced by Hollywood sweetheart Keanu Reeves. Variety has now confirmed that there will be a fourth Sonic the Hedgehog movie released, and it’s scheduled to land sometime during 2027.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 was widely expected after the massive success of the two entries, with the third entry being dubbed the best yet for the series. As of writing the movie is sitting pretty with 87 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest Tomatometer score for the franchise to date.

The reveal of this sequel also indicates the franchise will maintain its current schedule of dropping a new film roughly every two years. It’s too early to know for sure what the plan is for this fourth installment, but there are definitely some big clues in the post-credit scenes.

Whether its the rumors circulating that a Shadow-focused sequel is in the works, or the actors themselves pitching team-up ideas, there’s seemingly a lot of content from this world to come in the next few years.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is expected to dominate the domestic box office over the holiday season and is even tipped to outdo Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King. Together the first two Sonic the Hedgehog movies have made $725 million at the global box office, and it’s more than likely that the third film will push this total over that $1 billion milestone.

If you’re eager to see what goes down in this highly anticipated sequel then head to your local multiplex. If you want a refresher on what happened in the previous two films, you can stream both Sonic the Hedgehog movies on Paramount Plus right now.

Box office predictions have started flowing in ahead of the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and surprisingly it seems that the blue blur is the fastest creature in all of the animal kingdom — at least in this very specific instance.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the latest release in the blockbusting franchise that’s gone a long way to redeeming the negative reception of video game adaptations. The first two movies were both hits, and if early reviews are to be believed this will also be another victory for Paramount.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 won’t be the only animal movie launching the week before Christmas, Disney is set to release the sequel to their live-action The Lion King movie, Mufasa: The Lion King on the very same day. However, Deadline is reporting that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is set to be the more popular choice.

The threequel is predicted to open domestically around the high $50 million mark, beating out Mufasa, with some analysts thinking it might do so with a $10 million deficit. But there is one advantage that Disney has up its sleeve and that’s the fact Mufasa opens days before Sonic internationally, so it will dominate the global market first with an expected $180 million take before Paramount’s blockbuster sequel has a chance to compete.

It’s surprising to see Sonic pull out in front of Mufasa domestically in the United States given the massive success that the first live-action Lion King saw, but it seems to be a testament to the incredible advertising campaign Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has had, paired with its top-notch cast.

While reviews for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 are yet to trickle in, critics aren’t painting a positive picture of Mufasa. Currently, the sequel has a low 59 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes with almost 80 reviews submitted. It’s important to note that the first live-action Lion King movie also had a poor critic reception, but still managed to be loved by audiences.

For what it’s worth, this is something that Sonic the Hedgehog has also seen in its previous movies. Both Sonic the Hedgehog and its sequel received mediocre critic scores before smashing the Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes with both of the currently released movies receiving audience scores in the 90 percent range. With that being the case, it won’t be easy to tell how these movies will perform until fans around the globe start getting their chance to check them out.

Whether you’re planning to see Mufasa or Sonic, there’s no denying that moviegoers are spoiled for choice this holiday season. Both of these movies are set to arrive in theaters across the United States on Dec. 20, 2024, and tickets are currently on sale now in all of the usual places. If you want to catch up on either franchise, both of the previous Sonic movies are streaming on Paramount Plus, while The Lion King is available to watch on Disney Plus right now.

The Sonic the Hedgehog universe is about to get a little bigger when Shadow the Hedgehog makes his on-screen debut later this year. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the most ambitious movie in the franchise yet, finally bringing everyone’s favorite anti-hero into the story.

Keanu Reeves will voice Shadow in the movie, marking one of the most perfect character castings we’ve seen in a long time. His character will appear alongside the previous Sonic cast which includes Jim Carrey as Doctor Eggman, Ben Schwartz as Sonic, and Idris Elba as Knuckles.

Both Elba and Reeves recently spoke with ComicBook.com about their characters and what could be next, and during this interview, the pair pitched something any Sonic fan would undoubtedly be dying to see — a team-up between Shadow and Knuckles, of course!

Elba: “I’m telling you… While there’s an opportunity for a clever combination of the two characters into a unique title like Shadow Knuckles,”

Reeves: “No, Knuckles and Shadow.”

Elba: “Shadow Knuckles sounds like a band.”

Of course, this does nothing to confirm the existence of such a spinoff, but we would be lying if we said the idea doesn’t get us excited. Shadow and Knuckles are two of the most popular characters in all of the Sonic franchise, so seeing them team up on screen for their own project would truly be a sight to behold.

Adding fuel to the speculative fire of possibility, Knuckles has already received his own spinoff from the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, in the form of a TV show exclusive to Paramount Plus. This shows that the Paramount team is committed to expanding the universe outside of theatrical releases, and Shadow would seem like the perfect character to continue this trend with, perhaps courtesy of a cameo.

Rumors have already been circulating that a Shadow movie spinoff is in the works. Industry insider Daniel Ritchtman previously said that Paramount is planning to give Shadow his own spinoff film should the third Sonic the Hedgehog film perform well enough. According to early reviewers, the film has completed that task, so why couldn’t this potential Shadow spinoff involve a team-up with Knuckles?

That being said, everything relies on how Sonic the Hedgehog 3 performs. Fortunately, the first reactions to the film have been majorly positive, and if the previous two movies are anything to go off, it’s on the path to success.

Sonic the Hedgehog has currently got an incredible audience score of 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes which has only been bested by its sequel which is sitting pretty with 96 percent. Perhaps the third film will be able to push this even higher.

For anyone who saw the first look of Sonic on screen that was shared prior to the first movie before being completely retooled, hearing that the series has become a success might be a major shock. Yes, Sonic looked that bad. Fortunately, the team tidying things up and has since crafted one of the best video game adaptions we’ve ever seen on the big screen.

Fingers crossed that Shadow is just as awesome as expected in this threequel and that the success of the movie will eventually allow us to get the Shadow and Knuckles spinoff that we’re hoping for. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be released in theaters on Dec. 20, 2024.

Everyone loves Jim Carrey, and one of the actor’s best performances in recent years has been as Dr. Robotnik in the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise. Despite sharing his plans to retire, the star is back for the sequel, and he’s shared the surprising reason why.

Carrey first stepped into the role as this iconic video game villain back in 2020 with the surprise hit Sonic the Hedgehog. He then reprised the character for its sequel in 2022, and now again in 2024 for the threequel. At this point, there’s nobody else we could imagine bringing Dr. Robotnik to life.

During an interview with AP Entertainment, Carrey opened up about his decision to return to Sonic the Hedgehog 3, claiming that his ultimate choice stemmed from money issues.

“I came back to this universe because, first of all, I get to play a genius, which is a bit of a stretch. You know it’s just I bought a lot of stuff and I need the money frankly. Yeah.

This is Jim Carrey, so it’s tough to know just how much truth is behind those words, or if it’s all comedy. We hope for the actor’s sake that it was more a joke than reality.

Back in 2022, the star shared during press for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 that he was planning to retire from acting. He did leave the door open to return for one extremely unlikely reason, and that was “if angels bring some sort of script that’s written in gold ink that says it’s going to be really important for people to see.”

Perhaps Sonic the Hedgehog 3 does have this level of incredible storytelling, we’ll just have to wait and see. What is known is that fans are more than excited to finally see Shadow the Hedgehog on screen, especially since he is being voiced by industry sweetheart Keanu Reeves.

Carrey has had a long and incredible career in the film industry, but in recent years Sonic the Hedgehog is the only major blockbuster franchise he has appeared in. It seems the star is winding down his schedule and looking forward to spending less time acting, and more time enjoying his quiet life. He’s spoken publicly in the past about his desire to retire so that he can spend more time putting paint to canvas.

If Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is as successful as the previous movies have been, then it’s more than likely we could get a fourth down the line. We’ve already heard rumors of another spin-off from the mainline movies, so for them to continue the core story wouldn’t seem like any stretch. If they do, this could mean more work for Dr. Robotnik, depending on what his face is after the third movie. Whether Carrey appears in another Sonic film is anybody’s guess, but hopefully, if he does, money isn’t the motivation.

Those who want to catch the iconic comedian playing a genius in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 can take in the movie in theaters on Dec. 20, 2024. Tickets are now available to secure in all of the usual places.

With the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade about to begin, why not warm up with the craziest balloon moments that have popped off over the years? Thankfully nobody has ever been killed by a runaway float, though after reading this you might reconsider attending the parade in person.

Felix the Cat bursts into flames (1927)

The very first giant-sized balloon ever fabricated for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade met a fiery end after the conclusion of the 1927 annual event. So how did this incident involving the silent-film cartoon icon Felix the Cat occur after the parade was all said and done?

It turns out, it was commonplace back then to just release the helium-filled balloons into the air after the parade and let them fly off into the sky. Those who discovered the deflated balloons could ship them back to Macy’s, using the address sewn into them, for a $100 gift certificate. So it was like a giant Easter Egg hunt for New York residents six months before the spring holiday.

Unfortunately, Felix’s bounty never got claimed since he floated into some telephone lines and immediately burst into flames. Thankfully, the flames were rapidly put out before spreading to nearby buildings. 

You would think the tradition of releasing balloons was retired right then and there after such a brush with disaster… but read on!

A mischievous Tom Cat dog fights an airplane (1932)

After the end of the 1932 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a helium-filled Tom Cat balloon was released into the sky, meeting a student pilot’s line of sight. Rather than trying to avoid the floating hazard, Annette Gipson of Brooklyn decided to “fly right into it” 5,000 feet above Jamaica, Queens, as Untapped New York reported. 

The result of the attempted stunt was that – duh – the plane nearly crashed. The balloon wrapped around the left wing, causing the aircraft to spiral toward terrestrial territory. Though Gipson quickly turned the engine off so it would not catch fire, she almost fell out of the plane when the cabin door abruptly opened. Her foot remaining caught in the aircraft was the only thing that kept her tumbling down to earth and she maneuvered herself back inside.

Luckily, there happened to be an instructor pilot on board who switched seats with Gipson, took the controls, and negotiated an emergency landing on a nearby field. 

Though Gipson and the instructor were found by an investigation to have violated federal aviation rules at the time by attempting a stunt above a heavily populated area, the young student would later become an accomplished pilot. 

Sonic the Hedgehog spin-dashes into a lamppost and injures two people (1993)

1993’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade saw the then-relatively new video game mascot Sonic the Hedgehog commit a kamikaze attack on a lamppost thanks to some strong gusts on his debut outing at the Parade.

In eye-popping footage captured by an amateur and later broadcasted by ABC7NY, which was re-ed to the news station’s YouTube channel a couple of years back, Sonic can be seen slamming into a lamppost and getting his eye punctured. When the balloon pulled away from the lamp as it was deflating, it dislodged the light itself and metal pieces, which fell and injured a man and a little girl. Gotta go… flat?

Rex the Dinosaur is beheaded (1993)

Anyone We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story? No? Well, let’s face it, the only dinosaur movie in 1993 that the public cared about didn’t feature a T-Rex voiced by John Goodman. Anyhow, the movie contains a scene set during the Macy’s Day Parade and so Rex the Dinosaur ed the line-up.

Rex was intended to be a particularly large balloon and ended up in similar trouble to Sonic the Hedgehog. He smashed into a light pole in Columbus Circle slicing his massive head wide open. Baloonatic Dany Jones, who was piloting Rex yelled “I can fix him! I can fix him! I’ve fixed worse!” But, sadly, 1993 was to be Rex’s first and only flight, as he was deemed to be too large to be safe.

Barney the dinosaur thrashes his way to the afterlife (1997)

Every couple of years, a clip goes viral of Barney the dinosaur thrashing around from high winds and eventually being disemboweled (if balloons had bowels) when it is torn in half during the 1997 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

One woman who was among the crowd was quoted by the New York Times as saying, “Barney attacked us.” The Barney balloon, which landed on top of some of the crowd and workers, was then attacked by cops to get him under control. But Barney was not the only balloon to go AWOL on that unforgettable holiday.

The Pink Panther is stabbed to death by a cop (1997)

You may be realizing 1997 wasn’t a great year for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Barney may have met a dramatic end, but he was quickly ed by the Pink Panther. Its handlers tried desperately to get it under control, but it began collapsing while blowing about chaotically.

A police inspector stepped in and yelled “Somebody give me a knife, quick!“. Another officer handed him a 5-inch-long knife and the cop entered into a stabbing frenzy, tearing chunks out of the wayward panther’s tail. The balloon was downed but collapsed on top of its handlers.

One, Joyce Reis said: “The balloon was caught on top of me and my daughter. We thought it was going to smother us.” But, sadly, this wasn’t the last inflatable cat-based disaster to occur on that fateful November day.

The Cat in the Hat nearly kills a woman (1997)

As you’ve probably gathered 43 mph winds and giant balloons do not mix well. But in 1997 The Cat in the Hat almost killed two people.

The iconic Dr. Seuss character careened into a lamppost, causing the metal arm to snap off, hurting four people, according to ABC7NY. Two of those people had to be quickly transported to a hospital for grave head injuries. One woman who was wounded “suffered serious injuries and was in a coma for a month,” according to KTVZ. 

Ever since that fateful day, the prospect of high winds has now necessitated a protocol in which some balloons get “grounded” in order to prevent such mishaps. The incident was so bad, that then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani vowed an investigation would take place regarding the parade’s safety protocols. 

The M&Ms send two sisters to the emergency room (2005)

Even after all these safety precautions it seems watching the parade in person is far from safe. The M&Ms had been a fixture of the event for years by 2005 though – you guessed it – high winds resulted in a minor calamity while they were ing through Times Square.

The M&Ms snagged on a lamp post, sending debris raining down on two sisters from Albany aged 26 and 11. The 26-year-old just suffered “bumps and bruises“, while the 11-year-old required nine stitches to a gash on her head. Fortunately, they were released from hospital just hours later.

It seems they didn’t bear a grudge, as the M&Ms returned for the 2006 Parade at the express request of those two sisters. Let’s hope they got a substantial M&Ms hamper as an apology! Will disaster strike this year? Judging by these stories we’d better pray we don’t get high winds or Goku, Pikachu, Monkey D. Luffy, and Bluey could start racking up body counts. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be broadcast live on NBC and Peacock from 8.30 a.m. ET. to noon.

Christine Weston Chandler, AKA Chris Chan. A name which carries a lot of weight around these parts. An individual once considered to be the most documented human maybe ever has since become associated with a notorious depraved act which saw them serve time in prison. But what exactly happened to Chandler?

Who is Chris Chan?

Okay, for those not in the know, let’s recap the road so far. Chris Chan, born Christopher Weston Chandler to parents Robert and Barbara Chandler, had a rough childhood. According to her she was neglected by her parents and left with an abusive babysitter. From an early age, Chandler was also diagnosed with high-functioning autism.

According to the Chris Chan Wiki – yes she has a whole wiki dedicated to her – Chris Chan was obsessed with cartoons and video games like Pokémon and Sonic the Hedgehog as a child and this carried over into adulthood which is where things started to take a turn for the worse. Chandler began posting hand-drawn comics of her original character “Sonichu” (an amalgamation of Sonic and Pikachu) which drew mockery on online boards like 4Chan. As the rise of video-sharing websites like YouTube rolled around Chris Chan would videos of herself which piqued the curiosity of those early internet explorers. 

Most interactions people had with Chris were cruel, it often involved trying to provoke her into having a meltdown or giving out even more information about herself that could be used by the trolls to taunt Chandler. Strangers constantly prank-called the family after Chandler accidentally doxed herself one time, resulting in a viral meltdown.

Things carried on much the same for several years, with people watching Chris Chan’s life play out on the internet in real time. Almost every detail was shared, every action, every little thought including her quest to find love which Chandler would discuss a lot. Chris Chan would change their pronouns to she/her and go by the name Christine in 2014 but that didn’t change the dynamic between Chris and their rabid trolls who continued to observe and provoke her.

Chris Chan goes to jail

While the Chandler situation was already pretty bad nobody was prepared for how bad it could get until 2021. On Aug. 1st of that year t she was arrested and charged with incest after revealing on a leaked phone call to having sexual relations with her 79-year-old mother who many suspect has dementia, although this hasn’t been confirmed.

During their incarceration, Chandler’s only interaction with the outside world was through written letters in which she made some incredibly odd statements including the belief that she was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. In later letters, she would double down on these delusions and mention the “dimensional merge,” which, according to her, is a merging of our world and the world of Sonichu and the characters in her head. Despite many thinking Chandler wouldn’t fare well in prison, reports indicate she was doing well inside.

She served two years out of a possible ten in prison and was released by court order on March 27th 2023. For many the whole saga marked the end of their interest in Chandler, but there are those still feverishly documenting her life after prison.

Post jail saga

So what’s been going on since Christine’s life this past year and a bit? Well, it’s been a little more difficult for those still interested in documenting her life as she hasn’t been active online, some on Reddit have speculated that she may be legally banned from using the internet, or perhaps she’s simply realized it’s not healthy for her to be on there.

However, she has been spotted in public several times either shopping in Walmart or appearing at Magic: The Gathering events. Every public sighting has been documented on the wiki, at this point spotting Chris Chan is tantamount to capturing a cryptid such as Bigfoot on video. 

Chandler did make a brief return to the internet, in a very weird video that appeared on YouTube in Oct. 2023, it was mostly nonsense, but many at the time suspected this could be an all-out return for Chris Chan.

While it’s been mostly quiet since, footage of Chris Chan’s initial arrest back in 2021 was recently posted online and has since gone viral, garnering over 3 million views on YouTube. The whole interaction between Chandler and the cops who arrived to arrest him is bizarre to watch.

But there it is, the whole sorry story. Hopefully, this truly does mark the end for Chandler’s online escapades, it’s clear she needs professional help and to stay as far away from the internet as possible, the trolls are only making things worse. We can only hope that someone is keeping a close eye on Chris to make sure she doesn’t cause any more harm as well as ensure the trolls don’t continue to provoke her.

Sonic fans, it’s finally time to start getting excited! The trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has dropped at long last, and boy is there a lot to unpack.

Obviously we all anticipated seeing Shadow the Hedgehog make an appearance, but there are a few other details teased in the trailer that have die hard fans of the franchise super pumped. For example, right at the end of the trailer we watch Dr. Eggman, played by Jim Carrey, encounter a man who looks pretty much exactly like him, but older. Who is this guy, and what does this all mean in the context of the videogame lore?

It may not seem like it, but Sonic the Hedgehog has a very deep and intricate lore, with tons of side characters who play important roles. Although it’s not mentioned in the trailer itself, the man, (who if you couldn’t tell is also played by Carrey) is actually Gerald Robotnik. The character is related to Dr. Eggman, which is presumably why Jim is playing both characters. However, he also has an important role to play in Shadow’s backstory, so it really shouldn’t be that much of a surprise to see him make an appearance in this film.

Who is Gerald Robotnik?

So who exactly is this guy? And where does he fit in with regards to the wider story?. The third movie seems to be taking a lot of plot elements from the video game, Sonic Adventure 2, which happens to be Gerald’s first appearance in the series. In the game, it’s revealed that Gerald was the scientist who created Shadow. He is also the grandfather of Dr. Eggman as well Eggman’s cousin, Maria.

50 years prior to the events of the game, Gerald was contracted by the United Federation to work on something known as “Project Shadow,” the goal of which was to achieve immortality as well as create the ultimate lifeform. His reason for working on the project was to find a cure for the fatal illness afflicting his granddaughter, Maria. The project led to the creation of two lifeforms, the first being the biolizard, which is the final boss of Sonic Adventure 2. The second creation was Shadow the Hedgehog of course.

Ultimately the project is deemed to be too dangerous, and the United Federation decides to shut the whole thing down and destroy Gerald’s research. The scientist is apprehended, but in the meantime, Maria is killed by the military as she tries to help Shadow escape. Upon learning this, Gerald loses his mind, vowing to get revenge on humanity before being killed by firing squad.

So that’s the story

It’s a pretty dark and depressing storyline for a kid’s game about a bright blue hedgehog running around at the speed of sound. It’s difficult to tell exactly how much of this backstory will be featured in the movie when it releases in December, but Sonic fans are pretty ionate about accuracy to the games, which is something Paramount found out the hard way back in 2019, ugly Sonic? Of course, Gerald is already long dead during the plot of Sonic Adventure 2, whereas he appears to be alive and well in the movie, so we’ll just have to wait and see what the film does with the character.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has been ramping up excitement, especially since it finally introduces Shadow, an important character in the Sonic universe. Ever since the first movie, fans of the iconic franchise have been waiting to see more fan-favorite, colorful characters hit the big screen. One of these is Amy Rose! 

Who is Amy Rose?

Amy Rose, or just Amy, is a pink anthropomorphic hedgehog, often seen wearing a red dress and red and white chunky heels. Amy has a cheery personality, as well as a crush on Sonic, and she frequently calls herself his girlfriend.

She also plays an important role in the game Sonic Adventure 2, which Sonic 3 will be based on, boosting even more anticipation of her potential introduction. The game introduced Shadow, and showed the space station where he was created, but in the game’s final arc, Amy was the one who convinced Shadow to help them save the world. She also partnered with the rest of the group to save humanity. 

Will Amy be in Sonic 3?

The post-credits scene of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 hinted that the next movie would adapt the video game, Sonic Adventure 2. This was confirmed by Tony Ascher, a producer on the movie, and by the newly released Sonic 3 trailer, which sees the gang going up against Shadow and touches on his backstory. However, some other integral characters from Sonic Adventure 2 haven’t yet been revealed in Sonic 3, which includes Amy Rose.

As of now, Amy isn’t listed among the cast of characters in the movie. However, fans think there might be a chance she might be making an appearance, either as a surprise addition, or as a cameo in a post-credits scene. This rumor seems to hold some weight among the fans, who have noticed some actors that have been cast in undisclosed roles, particularly Sofia Pernas.

Sonic the Hedgehog has recently taken a backseat as Knuckles officially punches his way to TV stardom.

Now that the fierce character has received his very own miniseries (and trust me, it’s amazing!), Sonic’s former rival and current best friend is finally taking center stage. Just as fans were initially curious about what kind of animal Sonic is, all eyes are now on Knuckles, whose shape and design are quite unique. Just who is this lil hothead, and what kind of animal is he?

Who is Knuckles?

Knuckles is, of course, a fictional character from the long-running Sonic the Hedgehog series and was introduced by Sega in 1994. He made his first appearance in the game Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and has since become a beloved member of the Sonic universe. A miniseries titled Knuckles, which centers on the character of the same name, was officially released on Friday, April 26, with Idris Elba reprising his voice role from the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movies. 

Knuckles is known for his strength, tough demeanor, and his role as the guardian of the Master Emerald on Angel Island. He’s often depicted as Sonic’s ally, though the pair has had moments of rivalry, often due to misunderstandings. Knuckles is distinguishable by his red fur, white crescent-shaped markings on his chest, and ability to glide and climb walls using his spiked fists. Beyond his physical appearance and abilities, though, Knuckles embodies relatable characteristics that resonate with fans around the world. He is often portrayed as strong-willed, loyal, and sometimes hot-headed, but has had moments where his lovable, goofy personality shines through.

What animal is Knuckles?

Fans of the video games will have an easy time deciphering what kind of animal Knuckles is. In several installments in the universe, Knuckles is actually referred to as “Knuckles the Echidna.” Unlike Sonic and his speedy allies however, Knuckles possesses a distinctive appearance that reflects his real-life counterpart, the echidna. But, what exactly is an echidna? 

Echidnas are fascinating mammals native to Australia and New Guinea. They belong to the monotreme group of mammals, which means they lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. Echidnas, along with the platypus, are the only surviving monotremes in the world today.

In the Sonic games, Knuckles uses his powerful spiked fists to climb walls and glide effortlessly, and these are traits inspired by the echidna’s natural abilities. However, in the real world, echidnas are known for their solitary and nocturnal nature. They also have a specialized diet consisting mainly of ants and termites, which they capture using their long, sticky tongues. Additionally, they have a keen sense of smell, which helps them locate food in their underground habitats.

While Knuckles shares many physical traits with real life echidnas, he possesses enhanced abilities that make him a formidable and dynamic character in the Sonic series. So the next time you see Knuckles gliding through the air, that he is more than just a character… he’s a tribute to an extraordinary animal.

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for multiple Sonic the Hedgehog games, including Sonic Frontiers.

With dozens of games, comic books, animated series, and even a cinematic universe, Sonic the Hedgehog is the face of a thriving multimedia franchise. In addition to featuring fan-favorite characters such as Tails and Knuckles, all these different media tell stories that revolve around mysterious relics, the Chaos Emeralds.

What’s the history of the Chaos Emeralds in the Sonic games?

The Chaos Emeralds were introduced in the first Sonic the Hedgehog game, released in 1991 for the Mega Drive. In that game, Chaos Emeralds were unique collectibles that represented your ability to beat unique challenge levels. There were six different Chaos Emeralds, each tied to a bonus level. 

In Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Team Sonic introduced the Super Transformation of Sonic as a reward for collecting all the gems. The sequel also increased the number of Chaos Emeralds to seven, which has remained mostly stable for the rest of the franchise. The only game that bends the rules is Sonic the Fighters, in which there are eight Chaos Emeralds. However, the extra Emerald had been added because eight playable characters are in the fighting arcade title, not for lore reasons.

The origins of the Chaos Emerald remains a mystery. Still, the seven jewels are at the center of almost every major conflict that has ever taken place in the Sonic universe. As years went by, new Sonic titles have also made collecting the Chaos Emerald a prerequisite to beating the game or having access to a good ending. As such, Chaos Emeralds became inseparable from Sonic’s gaming history.

In 2022, Team Sonic expanded the lore of the Chaos Emeralds with Sonic Frontiers, the franchise’s first open-world game. In the game, we learn that the Chaos Emeralds were relics from the Antiants, an alien civilization whose planet got destroyed by a mysterious force, leading them into exodus. This revelation underlines the alien origin of the Chaos Emeralds and raises a whole new set of questions about the Master Emerald. 

The Master Emerald seems to have a different origin from the Chaos Emeralds, despite both emanating a similar energy and being intertwined in several Sonic stories. Team Sonic will undoubtedly explore the lore of the Chaos Emeralds in sequels for Sonic Frontiers, which became a sales and critical success.

Where do the Chaos Emeralds come from in the Sonic the Hedgehog movies?

While the games’ Chaos Emeralds are separated entities from Master Emerald, Sonic the Hedgehog movies retconned their history. As the film reveals, the Master Emerald was forged by the Echidnas from the union of the seven Chaos Emeralds. The Echidnas wanted to create the ultimate weapon, so they used the unlimited energy of the Chaos Emeralds to fuel their warmongering ambitions.

The movies have not yet explored the origins of the Chaos Emeralds nor explained how the Echidnas managed to unite them all. However, the ending of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 shows how Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) uses the Chaos Emerald to become Super Sonic after the Master Emerald is shattered. Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) manages to reforge the Master Emerald, but it’s unclear if the new relic holds the Chaos emeralds or if they are now separated. Considering the jewel’s central role in the gaming franchise, Paramount will likely bring the Chaos Emeralds back for Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Other versions of the Chaos Emeralds

Beyond the gaming world, Sonic has also inspired many comic book runs and animated series. Some of these alternative stories offer their spin on the Chaos Emeralds. For instance, in Fleetway Editions’s Sonic the Comic, the Chaos Emeralds were initially regular green emeralds dug from mines by the Echidnas. These jewels were later imbued with magical power by the Drakons, an alien race that tried to conquer the world. In this version of the story, the Master Emerald is one of the Chaos Emeralds, able to control the other six.

In its turn, Archie Comics’ Sonic the Hedgehog explains how numerous Chaos Emeralds spread all over the cosmos before they were brought together to Sonic’s planet, Mobius, and banished to the Special Zone. The ruler of the Special Zone would compress all the Chaos Emeralds into seven gems to be delivered to those worthy of completing his challenges. This version sticks closer to the games, giving even a lore reason for the existence of the Special Zone levels.

The animated series Sonic Underground takes a note from Archie Comics by claiming multiple Chaos Emeralds spread worldwide, each containing incredible power. Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, another animated series, takes an opposite direction and claims there are only four Chaos Emeralds, each capable of granting its bearer a superpower such as invisibility or superhuman strength. In Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, the jewels are bound to the past, which means time travel is the only way to collect them.

Other comic books and animated series stick to the games, keeping the Chaos Emerald’s origin a secret or pointing out their alien origin. The Sonic cinematic universe can adapt many different materials to live-action. The future of the Chaos Emeralds should become clearer after the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on Dec. 20, 2024.