SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3

Rising Sun Pictures (RSP) delivered over 200 visual effects shots for the third instalment of the Sonic franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The studio played a pivotal role in crafting some of the film’s most memorable sequences, blending vibrant animation with photorealistic environments and thrilling action.

Director Jeff Fowler returns along with an all-star cast including Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, newcomers Alyla Browne and Krysten Ritter, and Keanu Reeves joining the franchise as Shadow the Hedgehog. Ged Wright is Production Visual Effects Supervisor and Pablo Molles is Production Visual Effects Producer.

The studio’s work spanned several key sequences, including an intricately designed CG recreation of Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing. This bustling urban environment featured over 200 meticulously crafted props and buildings, eight hero structures with fine interior details, and dynamic environmental effects such as rain, fog, fire, and glowing embers.

These enhancements added depth and realism, capturing the energy of the crossing while integrating Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles into the heart of the action. RSP’s VFX Supervisor Christoph Zollinger commented on the challenge of balancing atmosphere and clarity in this scene.

“You want to show off all the iconic architecture and lighting, but also set it amidst heavy rain and fire. Striking this balance required innovative problem-solving and close collaboration with the client.”RSP VFX Supervisor, Christoph Zollinger.

RSP also tackled sequences set in London, including a heist featuring iconic landmarks like Big Ben and Tower Bridge. The team worked extensively to stabilise lighting inconsistencies across multi-day shoots by employing a custom sky sphere for the plates. They also brought to life The London Eye, the GUN HQ, and a full CG Water section of the Thames, blending seamlessly with the action.

The character work for Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles required meticulous attention to detail. Sonic’s vibrant personality shifts—from overconfidence to vulnerability—demanded nuanced animation, taking cues from vocal performances and classic animation principles. Animators combined hand-crafted performances with sophisticated fur simulation techniques to ensure the characters felt grounded in live-action environments. RSP’s Animation Director Art Curry praised the team’s dedication, saying, “Every action, every subtle movement was deliberate. It’s a testament to the incredible passion and talent of the artists involved.”

One of the most memorable sequences features a laser dance between Ivo and Gerald Robotnik. For this sequence, the production team brought in some amazing choreographers and dance team. Director Jeff Fowler said “Even though, Jim Carey wanted to do everything he could, there was no way he could do everything, especially since he’s dancing with himself. There’s always going to need to be another human in there dancing with him that would require a face replacement”. This complex and seamless transformation was entrusted to RSP. Our team ensured we stayed true to Jim Carrey’s performance and unique characteristics, preserving his signature energy and expression throughout the sequence.

This visually complex scene also required integrating reflective suits with dynamic laser movements, achieving a “mirrorball” aesthetic while maintaining realism. The team refined the choreography through animatics and CG FX tests, “we created animatics synced to the music and edit, experimenting with more elaborate laser shapes. We found a specific reference that captured the essence of the director's vision, which gave us a clear direction to execute. It was an exciting challenge to align the technical elements with the artistic intent while keeping the sequence cohesive and dynamic." Zollinger said.
Discover more about this sequence from Ian Failes' befores and afters article.

RSP also introduced technical innovations to streamline production. Building on workflows developed for Knuckles, the team used a USD pipeline to manage assets efficiently.

The production’s demanding scale and complexity required close collaboration with Director Jeff Fowler and VFX Supervisor Ged Wright. Having previously worked with them on the Knuckles series, RSP quickly established a creative rhythm, proposing solutions and concepts that elevated the sequences. RSP’s VFX Producer Brent St Mary highlighted the importance of this partnership, saying, “Knowing the client’s openness to creative input allowed us to push boundaries and deliver work that resonates."

Reflecting on the project, Curry expressed pride in the team’s achievements, “watching the animators bring such iconic characters to life was inspiring. It’s not just about technical execution; it’s about storytelling and creating moments that connect with the audience."