AceShowbiz - The production of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has officially started, as director Jeff Fowler shared the first set photo teasing the return of Amy Rose. After her unexpected appearance in the post-credits scene of the previous film, anticipation is building for Amy’s expanded role. The new image from the set shows Jeff Fowler holding a clapperboard alongside Amy’s iconic hammer, standing in a lush forest environment surrounded by blue screens, signaling that filming is underway in a live-action setting.

Discussions about a fourth installment began even before the release of the third movie, with the project confirmed shortly after its theatrical debut. The film is scheduled for release in 2027, though plot and full casting details remain under tight wraps. Jeff Fowler is returning to direct, and Ben Schwartz is set to reprise his role as Sonic. Other cast members such as James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Keanu Reeves, and Jim Carrey have yet to receive official confirmations regarding their involvement.

The announcement comes shortly after Golden Globe nominee Kristen Bell was revealed as the voice of Amy Rose for the sequel. Amy’s introduction in the previous film’s mid-credits scene saw her rescuing Sonic from an army of Metal Sonic robots, marking her official entry into the live-action universe. Jeff Fowler’s set photo suggests that Amy’s hammer has been physically created for the production, following the approach used in earlier films where tangible props and stand-ins were utilized to bring animated gadgets and characters to life. This hints at the possibility of a live-action sequence featuring Amy wielding her hammer in action.

A key question remains whether Jim Carrey will reprise his role as Dr. Ivo Robotnik, aka Eggman. His character appeared to meet his end in the last film, but Jim Carrey has expressed openness to returning if presented with a compelling script and premise. Given Metal Sonic is a creation of Robotnik, screenwriters Pat Casey and Josh Miller have room to creatively bring back the character in a way that could entice Jim Carrey to return.

Fans have been eagerly waiting for news since the success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and the confirmation that the sequel is now filming is a significant update. Previous Sonic movies typically took three to four months for live-action filming, so the production on this installment could wrap by early August 2026 if it follows a similar schedule.

The animation and visual effects teams also have a strong track record, with the third film benefiting from an internal team that worked simultaneously on the Sonic 3 movie and the Knuckles spinoff series. This in-house approach may continue for the fourth film, potentially allowing fans to see early footage or images before the end of the fall season. Additionally, a separate Sonic spinoff is planned for release in 2028, indicating the franchise’s strong ongoing development.

Alongside the excitement around Amy’s more prominent role and her practical hammer prop, the broader creative team remains led by Jeff Fowler with writing credits to Josh Miller, John Whittington, and Patrick Casey. Producers include Neal H. Moritz, Toru Nakahara, and Toby Ascher, who have been involved with the franchise’s previous installments.

While fans await further details, the start of filming on Sonic the Hedgehog 4 marks an important milestone in the franchise’s continuation. The combination of returning talent and new additions like Kristen Bell as Amy Rose keeps the momentum strong for what promises to be another exciting chapter in Sonic’s cinematic journey.