For the first time ever, Jim Carrey is playing a character for the third time. We know that sounds confusing, but just hear us out.
It’s not Lloyd Christmas of Dumb and Dumber fame or even the parted pompadour-sporting pet detective Ace Ventura. It’s Dr. Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and in the film, there’s twice as much Carrey than before. That’s because he plays both the manipulative technological genius Sonic nemesis Dr. Robotnik and Dr. Robotnik’s grandfather, Gerald Robotnik (who created Sonic’s other antagonist in the film, Shadow the Hedgehog, voiced by Keanu Reeves).
“What a big ask that was of Jim,” Sonic the Hedgehog 3 director Jeff Fowler told Yahoo UK. “But knowing that he could do it and that he would be excited about the idea – fortunately for us, he said yes.”
Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik looking surprised/Paramount Pictures
Fowler added, “Jim putting the energy into creating two characters, and even just the technical component of that was – how were we going to film that and edit that and just make this thing that the audience could just buy into and have fun with – is just incredible,” says Fowler.
In one scene, Carrey’s characters share the screen simultaneously as they maneuver their way through a grid of security lasers to The Chemical Brothers’ “Galvanize,” the two Robotniks pirouetting, capering and dance-stepping in perfect synchronization. Fowler says that the impressive scene is made even moreso by the fact that it was mostly Carrey’s idea.
“The best part is that most of the idea came from him originally,” Fowler told The Hollywood Reporter. “[In] the first film, we had a brief little moment in the trailer when he was sort of jamming out. When we had our first call [for this], he was like, ‘I want to dance again’.”
“I think he just likes to move,” Fowler added, laughing.
Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik/Paramount Pictures
When asked about the significance of Carrey playing a character for the third time in succession for the first time ever, Fowler explained that the momentousness was not lost on him.
“I never take for granted the opportunity of getting to work with an incredible talent like Jim, and to have now made three films with him is incredible,” Fowler said. “I obviously grew up as a huge fan of his films and all those early iconic roles in The Mask, Ace Ventura and Dumb and Dumber. And it’s just awesome to now have Robotnik in the mix and for there to be such an affinity for what he’s done with this character.”
When asked about Carrey’s dance scene from Sonic 2, one where Robotnik plays leg guitar to heavy metal band Pantera’s “Walk,” Fowler once more pointed out how Carrey collaborates and contributes to the foundation of the Sonic films.
“It absolutely was [his idea],” Fowler said of the leg guitar scene. “What I love most about Jim is that he always walks onto set with so many ideas, but he’s still very much a collaborator. We always talk it through, and while not all ideas make it into the movie, it’s the greatest blessing imaginable to have someone pitch so many ideas and be so engaged about finding the best version of the scene or the funniest version of the joke.”
Jim Carrey himself is also thankful for the collaborative aspects he’s been able to contribute to the trilogy thus far.
Dr. Robotnik and Gerald Robotnik meeting face-to-face/Paramount Pictures
“I’m always kind of involved in a lot of aspects – certainly [with] ideas as far as what can fill in the blanks,” Carrey told GamesRadar. “Generally, I get a lot of blanks when I get the script because they know I’m going to change things anyway. So they don’t really overwrite my part.”
“The action sequence where I’m the praying mantis and scorpion, that’s pretty much coming from me,” Carrey said of a face-off scene between Dr. Robotnik and his grandfather.
“Aesthetics, I’m involved in. Sometimes editing I’m involved in. I do a lot of stuff and I feel really graced to be trusted in those ways, to be involved in a lot of different aspects.”
What did you think of the thoughts shared by the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 director on how Jim Carrey commits to the character of Dr. Robotnik? Did you enjoy Carrey’s performance in Sonic 3? Let us know in the comments.
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