Shared on the film’s social media channels, the 10-second clip begins with Sonic spooking Ozzy the dog, before Keanu Reeves' Shadow pops up and says "boo". Cue screaming from Knuckles, Tails, and Sonic, who admits: "That is actually really scary." Watch it below.

As the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 release date has us all counting ... and the experience of making this movie. I think people are going to really, really love his version of Shadow. It’s awesome. Having that event firmly in mind as we arrive at the home ...

Sonic 3 director Jeff Fowler has been praising Keanu Reeves' performance as Shadow the Hedgehog, claiming he really did his research.

Keanu Reeves didn’t just phone it in for his role as Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. According to the film’s director Jeff Fowler, Reeves puts in a praise-worthy performance that elevates the classic Sonic villain.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is introducing audiences to the ultimate lifeforms, but it should also set something else up.

Before stepping in as Shadow's voice for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Keanu Reeves did his homework about Sega's other hedgehog.

But it’s not evil for evil’s sake. Nor is Shadow really working for either Robotnik. His real goal is to avenge Maria Robotnik, who he was raised alongside on the orbital Space Colony ARK. While these events are expanded in later games, what we see in Sonic Adventure 2 through flashbacks are confusing and distressing.

One of the most exciting things about Sonic 3 is that Keanu Reeves is playing Shadow the Hedgehog. Director Jeff Fowler revealed that Reeves is very committed to the role and even did his research. God help him if he stumbled across anything unsavoury.