One Life to Live alum Tika Sumpter has been super busy traveling the globe on her press tour for the third Sonic the Hedgehog film. She recently attended a Brazilian Comic-Con and jetted to London for the UK premiere of the movie. Of course, she’s also done a million interviews promoting the movie here in the U.S. Sonic 3 once again brings together an all-star cast, including Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey, Idris Elba, James Marsden, and the A-list actor new to the franchise, Keanu Reeves.
Sonic’s Leading Lady
In the universe of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sumpter plays Maddie Wachowski, a veterinarian and loyal friend to Sonic (voiced by actor Ben Schwartz of Parks and Recreation fame).
In this third installment, Sonic and his teammates Knuckles (voiced by Idris Elba) and Tails (voiced by Colleen O’Shaughnessey) go up against a new adversary. Sumpter thinks this animation and live-action mind-meld is perfect for all ages.
“It was so cool to be part of this joyful moment and something that is intergenerational. Kids were excited, kids who grew up in the ’90s and the ’80s and all that and gamers,” Sumpter recently told Blavity. “So I feel like it’s, across the board, an exciting time.”
Entertainment Tonight co-host Nischelle Turner called Sumpter “the matriarch, the leading lady of this crew,” which features some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. “These guys keep me laughing all the time, so I’m just grateful that I’m there. I’m the logical one. But I’m also fun. I’m the fun mom.”
Her A-List Co-Stars
During the Sonic 3 press tour, The Have and Have Nots actress was asked about working with her co-stars. She explained she was starstruck when she first met Jim Carrey (Ivo Robotnik and Gerald Robotnik). After all, she loved him on In Living Colour, the hit sketch comedy show of the ’90s.
“He’s so sweet and kind,” Sumpter revealed on The Way Up with Angela Yee. “The first time I met him, he was like, okay, let’s work on this scene. What are your ideas? I was like, ‘He thinks I have ideas!’ It was incredible.”
Meanwhile, Idris Elba joined the Sonic franchise in the second movie. “I’ve known Idris Elba for a very long time,” the Mixed-ish actress explained to Yee. “And to have him part of this world is amazing. I feel like I’m in really great company and grateful to be part of this franchise.”
The biggest addition to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is Keanu Reeves, who voices Shadow. Sumpter gave New York Live a few details about Reeves’ character. “He’s the ultimate alien to go up against Sonic. He has all these powers,” she said. “He can control chaos, which I think we would all love to do. Yes, absolutely. Like the ultimate superpower.”
“[Reeves is] just a great part of the franchise now,” Sumpter added. “And [he’s] a great adversary. And a lot of people are going to need help to try to overcome Shadow.”
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Finally, X-Men and Jury Duty actor James Marsden plays Tom Wachowski, Maddie’s husband. Sumpter feels their banter in real life helps their dynamic in the movies.
“James is one of my most favorite people in the world,” the Ride Along star revealed to The Momma Diaries. “We kind of found our sweet spot. And I think the reason why the chemistry comes off the way it does is because we actually really get along so well.”
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 hits theaters on Friday, December 20. Fun Fact: two other soap alums join Sumpter in Sonic 3: ex-The Young and the Restless stars Shemar Moore (Randall) and Sofia Pernas (Gabriella). Check out the trailer below:
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