Keanu Reeves taking on the role of Shadow in Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is pretty inspired casting. There’s no doubt he’s going to be awesome in the role, and he recently opened up about the “intense” process of getting into character when recording.

In a new featurette that was released Reeves shared: “For 50 years, Shadow has been in a state of suspended animation. He’s coming out of it seeking revenge. It was really the internal journey to get to the anger and the emotion. It was intense.”

He added: “Sonic 3 and playing Shadow, it’s really on another level.”

The behind-the-scenes video also features Dr. Robotnik star Jim Carrey, who also shared his reaction to Reeves’ casting.

He said: “When I heard that Keanu Reeves wanted to play Shadow I went, ‘Oh alright.’ Then I went [gestures a come at me sign],” before going on to add: “Shadow has that sympathetic, brooding kind of darkness that Keanu has mastered so brilliantly.”

The film is said to be Sonic’s most thrilling adventure yet. “Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before.

“With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.”

Ben Schwartz is back as Sonic and the rest of the cast also includes James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski and Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone.

Additionally, Colleen O’Shaughnesseyvoices Miles “Tails” Prower, and Idris Elba voices Knuckles the Echidna. Keanu Reeves is playing Shadow.

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 will premiere in theaters on December 20th.