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If you are a fan of Sonic the Hedgehog, we have some exciting news for you.

The third instalment in the movie franchise, which is based on the 1991 Sega game, is in production and will be hitting cinemas next Christmas.

Fans on social media are very excited about the introduction of an iconic Sonic character - Shadow.

An image teases his look and includes his signature white boots and gloves.

The post also includes the teaser line, "Off and RUNNING" to suggest the making of the film is well under way ahead of its scheduled release on 20 December 2024.

He is described by fans of the game and series as a "brooding anti-hero" who will do whatever it takes to help protect the world from danger.

However, Shadow's methods of doing so often put him at odds with the happy-go-lucky Sonic, for whom he is an arch-rival and sometimes ally.

It's been over a year since audiences had their first glimpse of Shadow when Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was released. Perhaps you spotted him when he popped up in a post-credit scene waking up at a secret site?

We don't know much about what Paramount has planned for him, other than he will have a much bigger role in Sonic 3 and that he was part of a secret government experiment named Project Shadow that saw him placed in a frozen state.

But who thawed him out, and why? We still don't know.

At the moment there is no information either about who will lend their voice to Shadow, but Ben Schwartz and Jim Carrey are returning as Sonic and Dr Robotnik.

We already know there will be a spin-off mini-series about Knuckles the red echidna, Sonic's enemy-turned-friend who is voiced by British actor Idris Elba.

That series is expected to air on Paramount+ in early 2024 and is thought to be set between the events of Sonic 2 and the third film.

Jeff Taylor will be returning to direct the movie after the success of the first two in the series.