Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Movie to Start Filming Without Cast

The ongoing actors' strike has brought much of Hollywood to a standstill, but some studios are continuing to film. This is possible for films and shows that shoot outside the United States, especially if the project's actors are not U.S. citizens or members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), which is currently on strike.

However, not having actors isn't even enough to stop some movies from being released. According to Screen Daily, Paramount is set to start filming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in the UK in September, but only for scenes "not involving actors."

The Sonic movie features a mix of live-action and voice actors, with Ben Schwartz voicing Sonic, Idris Elba voicing Knuckles, and Colleen O'Shaughnessey voicing Tails. In the live-action version, Jim Carrey plays the villain Dr. Eggman, and James Marsden plays Deputy Sheriff Tom, Sonic's father figure in this world. SAG-AFTRA's strike also includes voice acting, so Sonic 3 will be silent in front of and behind the camera.

SAG-AFTRA has been on strike since July 2023 over disputes over pay, working conditions and the studios' unauthorized use of artificial intelligence to copy actors' likenesses without compensation. Currently, negotiations between the union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents major Hollywood studios, have reached an impasse.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is currently scheduled to hit the big screen on December 20, 2024.