Sonic 3 drops first trailer revealing Keanu Reeves as the new villain and fans are losing it

The first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has been released, and one aspect of it in particular has fans excited.

The upcoming movie is set to be the third instalment in the movie adaptation of the iconic video game franchise.

James Marsden, Ben Schwartz, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, and Idris Elba will all reprise their roles from the previous movies.

Another familiar face from the Sonic movie franchise is Jim Carrey, who will be returning after previously playing Dr Robotnik in the second film in the franchise.

The trailer revealed that Robotnik has gotten out of shape and depressed after the story of Sonic 2, but reunited with an old companion.

However, it was less previous members of the cast reprising their roles so much as a new addition which has gotten fans talking about the movie online.

The movie will be the third instalment in the movie franchise. (Paramount)

That's because the cast is set to be joined by star of The Matrix and John Wick Keanu Reeves.

Reeves will be voicing the new character, to the movies at least, of Shadow the Hedgehog.

Shadow is a villainous counterpart to Sonic, as his name might suggest, and was first introduced to the Sonic universe back in 2001's Sonic Adventure 2.

Now Shadow will take to the big screen with Reeves voicing the character.

Fans took to the comments on social media to share their thoughts.

One wrote: "This is definitely going to be the best one. I'm so excited."

Another posted: "Keanu Reeves' voice in Shadow has to be one of the coolest things I've ever heard in my life."

Reeves will voice Shadow the Hedgehog. (Paramount)

A third commented: "Shadow looks so good man. I never would have guessed we'd be here after that first Sonic design reveal."

Meanwhile, a fourth wrote: "This is motivating me to catch up and watch the 2nd movie!"

A fair warning, some very mild spoilers for the upcoming movie below so you have been warned.

The new film will see Sonic, Tails the Fox, and Knuckles the Echidna once again getting back together when a mysterious new adversary, Shadow, arrives.

But Shadow's abilities prove so powerful that the trio of heroes must forge an unlikely alliance with a former enemy.

This will lead them into partnership with Dr Robotnik.

In addition to reprising his role as mad scientist Dr Ivo Robotnik, Carrey will also take on the role of Robotnik's father.

The movie is set to release on December 20 2024.