While no Sonic fan initially asked for a live-action movie, the 2020 big screen debut of the beloved hedgehog was met with widespread acclaim and became a significant success, grossing $319.7 million against a budget of $85–90 million, according to IMDb.
Naturally, Paramount quickly greenlit a sequel, leading to the release of “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” in 2022. This installment not only brought back the fantastic Ben Schwartz and Jim Carrey, but also introduced Tails and Knuckles.
The excitement continues in 2024 with the upcoming release of “Sonic 3,” featuring the blue hero alongside the highly anticipated appearance of Shadow, voiced by Keanu Reeves, who was confirmed for the role in April. How much did the “Matrix” star earn for his participation?
Keanu Reeves’ payment for ‘Sonic 3’
Keanu Reeves is widely recognized as one of the most sought-after actors of the past two decades. By 2024, he boasts over 100 credits and became a sci-fi icon through his acclaimed role in “The Matrix.”
Keanu Reeves arrives at The House of Suntory 100 Year Anniversary Global Event and “Suntory Time” Tribute Premiere on May 23, 2023 in New York City. (Source: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for House of Suntory )
Given his solid career, Reeves commands substantial fees, typically starting around $1 million and potentially reaching up to $20 million. For “The Matrix,” he received an upfront payment of $15 million, with additional earnings from a percentage of the film’s box office gross.
So, how much did he earn for “Sonic the Hedgehog 3”? It is a tricky question because, while Reeves is known for receiving high salaries, he has often stated that financial considerations are secondary, as he is comfortably set for the future.
The most likely scenario is that he was paid around $1 million for voicing Shadow, a standard rate for high-profile voice roles. However, it could be even less; for instance, he was paid $600,000 for voicing Batman in “DC League of Super-Pets,” according to Showbiz Galore. Given this, it’s reasonable to estimate that his fee for playing Shadow could range from $3 to $4 million.
This result is also based on comparisons with Jim Carrey, who, as per People, earned $4 million for “Sonic the Hedgehog” and $8 million for the sequel. Since Reeves’ work is less demanding as he does not appear on screen, his compensation was probably a bit lower than Carrey’s earnings.
