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These Are The Most Popular Christmas Destinations For American Travelers, According To New Survey
Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to LinkedinTraveling during the holidays is a totally unique experience and can be some of the most meaningful and unforgettable trips to take with family or close friends.
If you’re looking for festive and fun cities to explore during Christmastime, a new search data analysis by the experts at Cloudwards has revealed the most popular Christmas destinations for American travelers, and the results range from close by Canadian cities to major cities in Asia and Europe.
Here are the most popular Christmas destinations for American travelers this holiday season:
ViennaChristmas Market Vienna, traditional market at Vienna Town Hall in Decembergetty
Vienna was named the world’s most liveable city three years in a row so it makes sense that Americans are drawn to the laidback and comfortable pace of life here. The capital of Austria boasts Christmas market traditions that can be traced back to the Middle Ages which, combined with the rich history and architecture, makes this city a stunning spot to spend the holidays.
Quebec City
Winter day in Old Quebecgetty
Quebec City might not seem like the most far-flung and exciting international destination—but it shows that Americans are interested in taking Christmastime holidays closer to home. Quebec City is an excellent Christmas- and wintertime destination with standout attractions like the infamous Hôtel de Glace, a fully functional hotel made entirely of ice.
ParisThe Arc de Triomphe from the Champs Elyseegetty
It should come as no surprise than Paris cracks the top three as one of the most popular Christmastime destinations for American travelers. It goes without saying that the city is beautiful and plenty with activities year-round but Christmastime in Paris is particularly magical, whether you’re visiting the Tuileries Garden Christmas Market or enjoying the elaborate designer boutique decorations in the first arrondissement.
LondonOxford Street. West End of London. Westminster City. London. United Kingdomgetty
Shopping under the sparkling holiday lights on Oxford and Regent Street is something straight out of a Christmas movie—so it only makes sense that London is another one of the most popular Christmas destinations for American travelers.
RomeVatican, Italy — A night view of the Christmas tree in the square of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The Basilica is the center of the Catholic religion, one of the most visited places in Rome for its immense artistic and architectural treasures. Photo in High Definition Format.getty
There’s a lot to see and do when visiting Rome at Christmas but the city might be the most significant for Catholic travelers. Attending the Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and visiting the Vatican Christmas Tree in particular are two of the major attractions for travelers visiting Rome around the holidays.
Tokyotokyo tower and christmas marketgetty
It might come as a surprise to some but the capital of Japan is actually an incredible spot to spend the holidays, especially if you’re looking for unique gifts and unforgettable light displays.
AthensAthens, Greece: Little Kook, a famous patisserie with Christmas decoration in Psirri neighbourhood in central Athens. “ngetty
Although Athens doesn’t offer the same sun-soaked vibes in the wintertime as it does in the summer months, the capital and largest city of Greece remains one of the most popular Christmas destinations for American travelers thanks to its historical relevance and unique holiday traditions that span from December 6 through to January 6.
VancouverBaubles on the beachgetty
The second Canadian city to make the list, Vancouver offers mild temperatures and tons of Canadian charm that’ll make the holidays festive, fun, and friendly. There’s plenty of outdoor activities throughout the holiday season as well as a beautiful Christmas market right on the waterfront.
PM advocates more book fairs to promote reading habit
Prime Minister Hun Manet has urged relevant ministries and institutions to increase public book fairs to enhance knowledge, strengthen skills, and develop research habits, especially to reduce children’s use of mobile phones.In a get-together with BacII Grade-A students yesterday, Mr Hun Manet said that public book fairs are always well-attended, with many parents bringing their children to buy books for them to read.“I would like to encourage more book fairs. Ten to twenty years ago, there were not many books, even those translated into Khmer or other children’s books, but now there are many writers,” he said, referring to this year’s National Book Fair which ended on Sunday.He expressed his desire to encourage children to work hard to learn and read more books, as more reading can foster an addiction to knowledge.“When we were young, we didn’t have as many books to read as we do now. In each school, there were only five books in the library, but there were 400 to 500 students, and students took notes from teachers to memorise,” he said.Mr Hun Manet noted that, currently, kindergartens and primary schools, have at least one book per student.He added that reading books is very important, especially by reducing the time wasted through playing games on phones. Parents should buy books for their children to read, and reading does not necessarily mean reading high-level books but rather books that interest the children.“All learning, reading books, and research provide additional knowledge for everyone,” he said.Hok Sothik, a representative of the National Book Fair 2024 Organizing Committee, said that this year number of booths displaying books increased to nearly 300 compared the fewer than 250 last year.He said that while the book fair has been successful in terms of the number of book stands and visitors, it is essential for people with better living conditions, civil servants, employees of companies, enterprises, and other relevant parties to help support more literary works.At the opening ceremony of the fair on Friday, Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, said that the National Book Fair was organised to provide an opportunity for Cambodian writers to showcase their works and promote reading in the Kingdom.He added that, from year to year, the number of participants in the fair and the number of authors has increased significantly. The writing and publishing of books reflect socio-economic development, as knowledge cannot be passed from one generation to another without writing and publishing.Naron said that in the 1950s and 1960s, Cambodian writers created classic works that were included in the curriculum for Cambodian students, such as the literature of Kolap Bailin, Pka Srapoon, and Meala Duong Chit, which were considered works of the highest literary level.Cambodia organised the 11th National Book Fair on Koh Pich from December 19 to 22, with the aim of promoting reading habits among the general public and supporting the publishing industry in the Kingdom.Kok Ros, a member of the organizing committee for the Cambodian Book Fair 2024, noted that what made this year’s book fair particularly special was the strong support and encouragement from prominent figures. The fair featured books for sale by writers, poets, publishing houses, and bookstores, with a wide variety of genres, including literature, success books, self-development books, political books, history books, and research books, among others.Related PostsMarch 11, 2024March 5, 2024March 12, 2024December 12, 2024Tags: book fairs
Curl up with a good book
Walk into Edgartown Books, and you know it’s a very special place. You can find the classics, contemporary works, and beach reads. There’s a section on Vineyard authors, and a cozy lounge area with hot beverages where you can curl up with a good book, or do a little work. The front porch hosts author signings all summer long, where you can meet the person who wields the pen.
Mathew Tombers, the man behind the bookstore, loves his job, and his care and dedication to his customers and staff shine through: “I’ve been so fortunate. The people who work here have so much love for it.”
Born in Minneapolis, this is not Tombers’ first career. However, the initial one did include literature, as he was a high school English teacher. Then, he says, “One night, it was 73° below 0 windchill factor in Minnesota, and I said enough. A month later, I was in Los Angeles.” In these warmer climates, he launched into his next career by happenstance: “I needed to figure out what I was going to do when I grew up, so I registered with a temp agency. They sent me to jobs I thought I might be interested in, including media at KMPC radio. The joke was that I came for a week and stayed forever. I got hired as the assistant director of advertising and promotions.”
It turns out that Tombers did not stay forever, and continued in advertising at ABC Radio, the Discovery Network, and others, eventually moving to New York. All this time, he remained friends with Jeffrey Sudikoff and his wife Joyce, whom he had worked with early in his career in Los Angeles. The couple, who had a house on the Vineyard, invited him out in 2007, and he continued visiting over the years.
The Sudikoffs bought Edgartown Books in 2012 because it was going to close. In the late winter of 2016, Joyce told Tombers she was nervous about not having good staff over the summer, and he volunteered to help. “I came over for what I thought was going to be three weeks, and stayed eight. In 2018, I had pretty much retired, and got really bored.” Tombers reached out to Joyce and asked if she needed any assistance, and he came out for the summer. “They asked me to return in 2019, and I have managed never to leave.”
He grew into the job over time, and with guidance from Joyce: “I’m a fairly well-rounded person, so I can talk to people about books, and I started as a high school English teacher. My sister breaks into laughter every time she thinks of it. She believes it’s the perfect job for my retirement.”
Tombers decides to acquire books in several different ways: “I listen to customers and note some of the trends. Things have changed over the past four years. This is one of the things I find most hopeful and interesting, at least in Edgartown Books. There are a lot of young people in their 20s, post-college, who come in, and they are not looking for beach reads. They are gravitating to the classics, and books that are challenging.” He also scours industry newsletters and book reviews in major newspapers, and takes recommendations from publishers’ reps and friends.
Reflecting on the store, Tombers says, “At night, when I leave and look around, it almost feels like it’s alive. All of us who work there put in a lot of effort to make it as vibrant a place as possible. I can feel that vibrancy in the air. When people come in, I think they feel its specialness. They feel the love that everybody who works here gives to it.” He continues, “I feel incredibly privileged to be doing this at this time in my life.”
Edgartown Books, 44 Main St., Edgartown. For more information, visit edgartownbooks.com or @edgartownbooks.
New Book Shares Natural Remedies for Coping with Cancer, Inspired by Author, Via Thomas, Grandmother Journey
New Book Shares Natural Remedies for Coping with Cancer, Inspired by Author, Via Thomas, Grandmother Journey – Book Publishing Industry Today – EIN Presswire
Digital Twin Software: Transforming Business Operations Through Simulation
Picture this: what if you could test a new product, refine your operations, or anticipate potential issues without lifting a finger in the real world? A digital twin is like having a virtual clone of your physical asset, system, or process.
Whether it’s a piece of machinery, a production line, or even an entire building, this technology creates a real-time digital replica that mirrors its real-world counterpart. But it doesn’t stop there—it’s interactive, dynamic, and loaded with insights.
How Does Digital Twin Software Work?
It’s all about data and connectivity. A digital twin pulls information from sensors and systems attached to the physical asset. This live data feeds into a virtual model, creating an accurate and evolving replica. The model doesn’t just sit there looking pretty; it’s a workhorse that analyses performance, predicts potential issues, and allows you to test scenarios without disrupting your actual operations.
For instance, let’s say you’re managing a factory. If one of your machines starts showing signs of wear, the digital twin can flag it before a costly breakdown occurs. You can simulate potential fixes, plan maintenance, or even explore upgrades—all without touching the actual equipment.
Why Are Digital Twins Gaining Momentum?
Digital twin software is quickly becoming indispensable across industries. Why? Because it’s all about control, efficiency, and innovation. Whether you’re in manufacturing, healthcare, construction, or logistics, the ability to anticipate problems and optimise performance gives you a competitive edge.
In manufacturing, for example, digital twins monitor equipment health, predict failures, and streamline production processes. Architects and builders use them to visualise designs, identify risks, and make adjustments before a single brick is laid. In logistics, they optimise routes, reduce delays, and ensure smoother operations.
Even industries like energy and utilities are harnessing digital twins to improve grid performance and minimise outages. It’s not just about staying ahead of problems; it’s about reimagining how we work altogether.
What Can Digital Twin Software Do for You?
So, what’s the real payoff here? Let’s break it down:
Predict Issues Before They Happen – Get ahead of maintenance needs, equipment failures, or workflow bottlenecks by spotting problems early.
Boost Efficiency – Identify inefficiencies and streamline operations, cutting costs and saving time.
Experiment Without Risk – Test new strategies, products, or designs in a virtual environment, where mistakes don’t cost you.
Improve Decision-Making – With real-time insights, you can make better choices grounded in data, not guesswork.
Enhance Sustainability – Optimise resources, reduce waste, and implement greener practices without trial-and-error guesswork.
It’s not just about saving money or avoiding risks—though those are huge perks. It’s about running your business in a smarter, more adaptable way.
Where Digital Twins Shine
The best part of digital twin technology is how versatile it is. Whether you’re tweaking the design of a new product or managing the operations of an entire fleet of vehicles, the applications are practically endless.
Take aerospace as an example. Engineers use digital twins to model aircraft performance, simulating real-world conditions without ever leaving the lab. In healthcare, hospitals create digital twins of their facilities to optimise patient flow, reduce waiting times, and allocate resources more effectively.
Even city planners are using digital twins to simulate traffic patterns, energy consumption, and infrastructure needs. It’s like having a test lab for your city, where you can trial improvements before committing to them.
Challenges to Consider
No technology is without its hurdles, and digital twins are no exception. Setting up a digital twin system requires investment—both financial and technical. You’ll need the right hardware, software, and expertise to get started. Data security is another big concern, especially when dealing with sensitive information.
That said, these challenges are manageable with the right approach. Start small. Many businesses begin by applying digital twins to a single asset or process, learning as they go and scaling up when ready. With proper planning, the rewards far outweigh the initial effort.
Choosing the Right Digital Twin Solution
Not all digital twin software is created equal, so it’s important to choose wisely. Here’s how to approach it:
Define Your Goals – Are you trying to optimise equipment performance, reduce downtime, or design better products? Knowing what you need will help narrow your options.
Consider Scalability – Look for software that can grow with your business, accommodating more assets or processes over time.
Prioritise User-Friendly Features – The best solutions make complex technology accessible, with intuitive dashboards and robust support.
Look for Industry Expertise – Partner with a provider that understands your sector and offers tailored solutions.
Taking the time to choose the right platform will pay off in better results and a smoother implementation process.
The Future of Digital Twins
Imagine a world where every system in your business, from supply chains to customer service, is enhanced by a digital twin. It’s not science fiction—it’s the direction we’re headed. Whether you’re looking to improve today’s operations or plan for tomorrow’s challenges, digital twin software is a tool you’ll want in your arsenal.
Ready to Explore the Possibilities?
Digital twin software isn’t just a buzzword or a passing trend. It’s a powerful tool that’s reshaping the way businesses operate. From reducing costs and risks to driving innovation, the potential is staggering.
Whether it’s improving equipment reliability, speeding up product development, or making smarter decisions, the right digital twin solution can make it happen.
How To Choose The Best Image Annotation Partner For Your Business
Choosing the right image annotation partner is one of the most important decisions you can make for your business if you’re working with AI, machine learning, or any application that relies on labeled data. The quality of annotations directly impacts the performance of your models, whether you’re building an AI system for autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, or retail product recognition. So, how do you ensure you’re making the best choice? Let’s break it down step by step.
What Do You Need From an Image Annotation Partner?
Before diving into the details of what makes a great partner, it’s worth asking: what do you actually need? Are you working on complex 3D bounding boxes or simple object detection? Maybe you need pixel-perfect segmentation or annotation for millions of images in record time. Knowing your requirements upfront will save you a lot of time and headaches later.
Think about your industry too. Are you in healthcare, where accuracy is critical? Or are you in e-commerce, where speed might take priority? By defining your goals early on, you’ll have a clearer idea of what to look for when evaluating partners for image annotation outsourcing services.
Experience and Expertise Matter
Would you trust a beginner to handle something as crucial as your data? Of course not. The experience of your annotation partner is key. Look for companies with a proven track record in your industry or use case. If they’ve worked with businesses like yours before, they’ll already understand the nuances and challenges involved.
Expertise doesn’t just mean having experience; it also means having a skilled team. Are their annotators trained in the specific types of annotations you need? For example, annotating medical images requires a different skill set than tagging objects in everyday photos. Check if the company has dedicated subject matter experts or collaborates with professionals in specialized fields when needed.
Scalability and Turnaround Time
Can your potential partner handle large-scale projects? This is crucial if you’re planning to scale up in the future. A great annotation partner should be able to ramp up resources quickly without compromising quality. After all, the last thing you want is to hit a bottleneck because your provider can’t keep up with your demands.
Turnaround time is another key factor. Ask about their average delivery times and how they manage tight deadlines. Some companies offer expedited services for urgent projects, which can be a lifesaver if you’re on a strict timeline.
Quality Assurance Processes
No matter how fast or affordable an annotation partner is, none of it matters if the quality is subpar. Poorly annotated data can derail your project, costing you time and money to fix. That’s why it’s essential to understand how a company ensures quality.
Do they use multiple layers of quality checks? For example, some companies have senior annotators review the work of junior team members, while others use AI tools to verify annotations. Transparency is important here. Your partner should be able to explain their quality assurance processes clearly and provide examples or case studies to back up their claims.
Technology and Tools
A good annotation partner doesn’t just rely on manual labor; they leverage technology to streamline and improve the process. Find out what tools and platforms they use. Do they have proprietary software that speeds up annotation? Are their tools compatible with your existing systems, or will you need to invest in additional software?
Customizability is another consideration. Your project might have unique requirements that off-the-shelf tools can’t handle. The best partners are flexible and willing to adapt their technology to meet your needs.
Data Security and Confidentiality
If your project involves sensitive data, this is non-negotiable. Whether it’s medical records, user images, or proprietary designs, you need to ensure your data is handled securely. Ask potential partners about their data protection measures. Do they comply with international standards like GDPR? Are their systems regularly audited for vulnerabilities?
Confidentiality is just as critical. Make sure the company has strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in place and restricts access to your data to authorized personnel only.
Pricing and Value
Let’s be honest—budget is always a factor. But it’s not just about finding the cheapest option. Instead, focus on value. A partner that offers high-quality annotations with reliable turnaround times is worth paying a bit more for. Cheap services often come with hidden costs, like delays or the need to redo work due to poor quality.
Ask for a detailed breakdown of pricing. Does it include revisions and quality checks? Are there additional fees for specific types of annotations? Knowing exactly what you’re paying for will help you compare options more effectively.
Communication and Support
The best annotation partners are more than just vendors; they’re collaborators. Communication is key to a successful partnership. Does the company assign a dedicated account manager or point of contact for your project? How quickly do they respond to queries or issues?
Consider their flexibility too. Projects evolve, and you might need to adjust requirements mid-way. A good partner will be willing to adapt and work with you to overcome challenges, rather than sticking rigidly to the original plan.
Testing the Waters
Not sure if a company is the right fit? Start with a small pilot project. Many annotation partners offer trial runs or sample projects so you can evaluate their quality, speed, and communication style before committing to a long-term contract. Use this opportunity to provide feedback and see how well they respond. It’s a great way to minimize risk and ensure you’re making the right choice.
Final Thoughts: Invest in the Right Partnership
Choosing an image annotation partner isn’t just a one-time decision—it’s an investment in your business’s future success. By focusing on quality, scalability, security, and communication, you’ll find a partner who doesn’t just meet your needs but helps you achieve your goals more effectively. Take your time to evaluate your options, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. After all, the right partner can be the difference between a good AI system and a great one.
Biden leaves mark on four technology regulation areas
From winning a significant antitrust case against Google to adding additional export controls against China, the Biden administration took significant steps toward technology regulation in the U.S.
William Kovacic, law and competition professor at George Washington University, said the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) focus on mergers and acquisitions might be one of the hallmarks of Biden’s regulatory era. Google was also found guilty of being a monopolist and data brokers fell under intense scrutiny during Biden’s term.
The incoming Trump administration will likely depart from some of Biden’s initiatives, including heightened merger scrutiny, Kovacic said. Still, he noted that other initiatives, including the online search and digital advertising technologies antitrust cases against Google, will continue under Trump.
“A number of things that have been a centerpiece of the Biden administration have some antecedence during the Trump era,” Kovacic said.
A number of things that have been a centerpiece of the Biden administration have some antecedence during the Trump era.
William KovacicLaw and competition professor, George Washington University
Experts identified the following four key areas of technology regulation under the Biden administration in 2024:
1. Winning antitrust, merger cases
The DOJ won the online search antitrust case against Google in 2024, labeling Google a monopolist. The case has entered the remedy stage, with the DOJ proposing potential options such as breaking up the company.
The FTC also won merger cases in 2024. Although the FTC lost its case against Meta and Within in 2023, Kovacic said the FTC and DOJ became more selective about M&A activity they pursued, which led to successes in merger cases such as Tapestry and Capri, Kroger and Albertsons, and JetBlue and Spirit Airlines.
Given Trump’s recent appointments to lead the DOJ and FTC, Kovacic said he expects existing cases against Google, Meta, Amazon and Apple to continue under the incoming administration.
Trump has announced plans to nominate Gail Slater to serve as assistant attorney general of the DOJ’s antitrust division. He also said he intends to nominate Andrew Ferguson to serve as FTC chair and Mark Meador to serve as an FTC commissioner.
Slater’s appointment in particular indicates Trump won’t ease up antitrust law enforcement, said Joseph Coniglio, director of antitrust and innovation at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. Slater, a former FTC staff attorney and former general counsel for Roku Inc., most recently served as a staffer to Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, who has publicly supported breaking up Google. The previous Trump administration initially brought the online search antitrust case against Google.
“The appointment of Gail Slater makes clear there’s going to be continued scrutiny of the technology industries from the Trump antitrust division,” Coniglio said.
He added that he expects tension within the Trump administration when it comes to balancing antitrust and going after big tech, while also promoting U.S. competition with China.
2. Targeting data brokers’ practices
The federal government is starting to understand the significant affect behind data brokers’ data collection practices, said Frank Pasquale, a law professor at Cornell University. The FTC has cracked down on several data brokers over the last four years for collecting and selling sensitive consumer data.
Pasquale said the Biden administration has grasped the national security risk that widespread data collection poses, something he believes the Trump administration will also continue to recognize.
Pasquale also applauded the FTC’s efforts on commercial surveillance rulemaking, which began in 2022. Earlier this year, the FTC sought to shed light on surveillance pricing by ordering eight companies, including Accenture and JPMorgan Chase, to provide information on how they use consumer data such as browsing and credit history to individualize prices.
Data collection drew lawmakers’ eyes as well. Congress passed a law banning social media platform TikTok from operating in the U.S. due to concerns about the company’s owner, ByteDance, collecting data for the Chinese Communist Party. The Supreme Court has taken up the case, as the app is set to be removed from Apple and Google’s app stores in the U.S. starting Jan. 19, 2025.
“You put those two together, and you do see an agency that has a grip on the depth of the problem,” Pasquale said.
3. Monitoring artificial intelligence claims
The FTC made clear its efforts to target deceptive claims about artificial intelligence, cracking down on companies making false statements about what their algorithms could do.
Still, Pasquale said he saw little progress toward regulating generative AI models, despite the FTC launching an inquiry into GenAI partnerships in January. He said his hope for the incoming Trump administration is that the agencies will attempt to understand and put guardrails around data used to train tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
However, he said he believes generative AI will continue to be “a difficult target for regulators.”
“To me, the big disappointment is I see very little progress in making even elementary or small steps toward breaching that wall of secrecy around AI,” he said.
Kovacic noted that Ferguson, the incoming FTC chair, has expressed concern about excessive intervention regarding AI development and implementation. Under the Biden administration, the DOJ and FTC promoted a program of intervening in companies’ AI use and claims, he said. For example, the FTC targeted Rytr LLC and banned its AI-assisted user review service. Ferguson, who dissented the FTC’s decision in the Rytr case, might depart from such a strict approach, Kovacic said.
4. Expanding export controls on advanced technologies
The Biden administration’s continued focus on a “small yard, high fence” approach with China, or keeping a small group of important technologies protected to maintain the U.S. technological lead, is significant, Pasquale said.
“On the commerce side, it’s interesting to think about how the tech export controls with an eye to China were a big focus,” Pasquale said.
Biden’s implementation of export controls on advanced semiconductor and artificial intelligence technologies followed Trump’s lead from his previous administration. However, Pasquale said he hopes the Trump administration will reassess the U.S. relationship with China. He added that he believes the U.S. could learn from some Chinese technological advances in areas such as electric vehicle manufacturing and drones.
“There is so much to learn from the successes of the Chinese economy over the past 20 years,” he said.
Makenzie Holland is a senior news writer covering big tech and federal regulation. Prior to joining TechTarget Editorial, she was a general assignment reporter for the Wilmington StarNews and a crime and education reporter at the Wabash Plain Dealer.
‘Sonic 3’ Writers On Introducing Shadow, Implications Of That End Credits Cameo & Breaking The Video Game Movie Curse
Similar to the alchemists of yore, Hollywood has spent countless hours and money trying to figure out how to turn beloved video game properties into box office gold. Based on the runaway success of the Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise thus far, it’s probably safe to assume that Josh Miller and Patrick Casey have discovered the screenwriting equivalent of the philosopher’s stone.
“There’s no real formula to that, per se,” admits Miller as he and his creative partner sit down with me over to Zoom to discuss the third entry in Paramount’s Sega-inspired series, which is very close to passing $1 billion in ticket sales worldwide.
The overall goal, the film’s writers explain, is to balance the essence of gameplay with the narrative expectations of a feature film. If one outweighs the other, even by the slightest margin, you’re in for a proverbial game over. “These movies are colorful and kinetic, but what makes them work as movies is the character stuff,” Casey adds. “Really digging in and and finding things about each of the characters that can really make the audience care about these colorful little guys.”
This time around, the “colorful little” trio of Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Knuckles (Idris Elba), and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) — find themselves at odds with a second anthropomorphic, sneaker-wearing hedgehog from outer space: the fan favorite Shadow (Keanu Reeves). Filled with rage and pain over the loss of his best friend half a century before, Shadow joins forces with Ivo Robotnick’s grandfather, Gerald (Jim Carrey now getting to chew up twice as much scenery in a dual role), to exact revenge on humanity.
To go any further than would be to ruin surprises along the way, but if you’ve already seen the movie, head below for my spoiler-filled chat with the movie’s writers…
***WARNING! The following contains major plot spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 3!***
Weiss: What was the process for breaking the story of Sonic 3?
MILLER: You’re getting together with Jeff [Fowler], the director, and Toby [Ascher], our main producer. The previous movies always ended with a teaser, pointing in the direction of what we got to do [in the next one]. Shadow, as fans know, comes with a lot of story, more so than Tails and Knuckles did in their Sega Genesis game premiere. Shadow has a lot of story, some of it a little conflicting because it’s from two different games. So it’s just kind of like, “What story elements are we taking and how do we marry that with the universe we’ve established in the movies?”
CASEY: There was more research to do for this movie to fully absorb everything having to do with Shadow, Gerald, and Maria — and thinking about how we were going to tell that story. But also figuring out what’s going to be happening for Sonic, Knuckles, Tails, and all our returning characters, and never losing sight of the fact that the title of this movie is still Sonic 3. It’s not “Shadow the Hedgehog, Guest Starring Sonic.” So we had to find some satisfying stuff for Sonic as well, and a lot of it then stemmed from thinking about Sonic and Shadow as mirrors of each other; thinking about how Shadow’s story related to the story of Sonic that we’ve told so far, and using Shadow to bring that into starker relief. We were thinking about what would drive Sonic over the edge in a similar fashion and find that drama.
MILLER: It is funny working on a movie like this and starting the story meetings, and having someone in the room being like, “So I was playing Sonic Adventure 2 last night, and it was making me think…” You realize that it’s our job right now to play video games.
CASEY: [Another major consideration was] “What do we do with Gerald?” Because in the game’s story, he dies a long time ago and only exists in the past. We decided we wanted to bring him into the present and once we had the idea of “Well, what if Jim plays both characters?”, that really informed the whole story and us thinking about the story through the lens of where Ivo is at. Starting with him all depressed, doing a team-up, switching sides, going through this whole emotional journey with his grandfather, and everything that that entails as well.
Weiss: I can’t think of anyone other than Keanu Reeves voicing Shadow now. Was he always at the top of your wishlist?
Miller: Yeah. I mean, the internet had been talking about him as Shadow for a while … I think everyone knew they were going to try to get Keanu. You don’t know if he’s going to say “Yes” and thankfully he did. But yeah, I just feel like that was the voice everyone involved had in their head while working on it.
Weiss: Getting back to Robotnik, how much of the character is on the page and how much does Jim bring to it on the day?
Miller The vast majority of the things coming out of his mouth came from his brain. He ad-libs a little bit on set, but it’s more like he has all these ideas and then wants them in the script, so that he can come in fully-rehearsed. He has very specific ideas for even just how he’s delivering certain lines, and then we’ll play around with it a little bit. But especially now that we’re used to the format, you just have fun and almost think of it as designing a little space for him and imagining what’s he gonna come up with when you put him in this space.
Casey: When we wrote Sonic 1, we didn’t know that Jim was going to be playing Dr Robotnik. So moving forward, it’s been a totally different experience, knowing that it’s going to be Jim and trying to come up with bits to lay the foundation for him to really express himself. In this one, we were able to give him a little more emotion to play with, which he loved and really embraced. And then he has all these crazy ideas for gags to throw on top of it, which is what you want from Jim, because he’s a comic genius. You’re like, “Yes! Give us gags!” Sometimes he proposes something so insane it can never work and then Jeff has to be like, “Uh…I don’t know about that one, Jim.” You never have to push Jim to go further. He’s always going to go further on his own. You have to to pull him back a little bit.
Miller: Yeah, he’s giving 110% every day. It’s pretty impressive to see. You think when somebody has been a star for that long, you start to imagine that they’ve become like the old Marlon Brando stories where he wouldn’t read the script and would have an earpiece, so people could just give him his lines off-camera. If anything, it feels like Jim keeps wanting to put more and more of himself in it. He clearly likes the creative challenge.
Casey: We were on set one day when Jim started doing a headstand that was completely unscripted and seemed like he was going to kill himself. And everyone had [to be like] “Jim, stop! What are you doing?!” He does what he feels, man. If he thinks it’s funny, he’ll do anything.Jim Carrey as Ivo Robotnik and Gerald Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and … [+] Sega of America, Inc.Paramount Pictures and Sega of A
Weiss: How would you say the Sonic franchise has evolved from a scriptwriting perspective since the first movie?
Miller It’s interesting, because we like to think Sonic keeps evolving a little bit each time with bigger, new challenges. But this one we really saw as kind of Ivo Robotnik’s [movie]. He was transforming more in this one than Sonic does. Sonic’s still not perfect yet. Obviously he kind of dips into the dark side a little bit and has to remember to stay true to who he is.
Casey: In that first movie, we really were inventing a whole new version of Sonic that bears only a passing resemblance to the Sonic from the games, because Sonic in the games is this full-grown hero. He’s kind of laconic even, whereas [with our adaptation], it just stemmed from the challenge of getting Sonic to Earth and not wanting to make it a standard issue “Guy from another world lands on Earth and doesn’t understand it.” We came up with this [idea] where he grew up on Earth, sort of observing everything. He’s a little bit of the Little Mermaid and little bit of Superman, except for the fact that he doesn’t even have the chance to pretend to be normal. But he became this excited little kid. With each movie, he grows up a little more; he’s taking on more responsibility, he’s facing these bigger challenges. With this one, we explored darker territory than we’d gotten to previously, as Sonic really has to struggle with facing his greatest challenge, and how he’s going to react to that. He’s relied so much upon Tom [James Marsden] and Maddie [Tika Sumpter] as parental figures. He started off with nothing and now he’s gained a family. He’s gained friends and a team. But the more you have, the more you have to lose.
Weiss: I loved the third act battle between Sonic and Shadow as they go Super Saiyan with the Chaos Emeralds. How did that come about?
Miller: At some key point early on, Jeff will have ideas for an action set piece that he wants and then we all work to figure out, “Well, how, how do we get this in the movie? Can it be in the movie?”
Casey: We all brainstorm big visual things and think about what we really want to see, what Jeff really wants to direct, and then figure out how to structure it so it makes some sense [in the story]. The third act of Sonic 2 was so big with the giant Robotnik robot that we were all like, “How do we top it? How can we make this feel even bigger?” Obviously, Sonic Adventure 2 ends in space, so it just felt like that was the only place to go [along with] Super Sonic and Super Shadow. The bit of the two Robotniks looking out the window and seeing Super Sonic and Super Shadow flashing all over the Earth is so ridiculously huge and epic.Knuckles (Idris Elba), Sonic (Ben Schwartz) and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) in Sonic the Hedgehog … [+] 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc.Paramount Pictures and Sega of A
Weiss: Video game adaptations have gotten a bad rap over the years, but you guys have really cracked the code. What’s your secret?
Miller: I think step one is just, “Does it seem like a good idea to you?” We always love joking about what happened when we got the job. We told one of our friends and they were like, “Why?” And we were like, “What?! We’re writing a Sonic the Hedgehog movie because it’s f—ing cool!” But with Jeff and Toby, the common thing between all of us, is that it seemed obvious how a Sonic movie could be cool. Point being, if it feels like it’s too much of a struggle to adapt a game, then you probably shouldn’t be the one doing it. We knew we had to change a lot because the that’s just what the studio wanted. There are certain realities if you want the movie to get made, and you hope that in success, you can bring in more characters and more lore in the sequels. We just try to think of, “Well, a movie and a game are two completely different things. How do you make watching the movie give someone the same feeling that playing the game gives them?” There’s no real formula to that, per se.
CASEY: These movies are colorful and kinetic, but what makes them work as movies is the character stuff, really digging in and and finding things about each of the them that can really make the audience care about these colorful little guys. They’re such ridiculous creatures, but we do everything we can to make them feel like real people with real emotions and real pain and real back stories that people can really latch onto and care about — even in the midst of gigantic explosions and colorful action that lend context to all this video game-y stuff. [The goal is to make] it feel both like a video game and like a real movie.
Weiss: The mid-credits stinger has some great setup for the future with the introduction of Amy Rose. Where did the idea come from?
Casey: Our final draft also ended introducing Amy in a similar manner, but it was also a little different in ways we can’t discuss.
Miller: It dipped more into what a story for a fourth film might be. At some point, they wisely decided, “Let’s make it even more of a tease and less of planting a flag, story-wise.”
Casey: But we were definitely excited. We’ve wanted to bring Amy into the franchise, because we know that the little girls of the world deserve their own super-powered hedgehog. My nieces have been bugging me about it ever since they learned that Amy Rose existed. I know they were really happy to see her at the end of this one.
Weiss: Do you have someone in mind to voice the character, à la Reeves and Shadow?
Miller: No, they’d murder us for even suggesting.HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 16: (L-R) Patrick Casey and Josh Miller attend the “Sonic The … [+] Hedgehog 3” Los Angeles premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre on December 16, 2024, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
Weiss: Paramount just announced a fourth movie slated for 2027. Where would you like to see Sonic’s story go from here?
Miller: He keeps getting a little older each time. We can’t really give any kind of hints, but I think it’s not really a hint to say that we like the idea of Sonic’s aging evolution continuing. We got Sonic out into space just a little bit [and] hopefully, we can keep expanding what directions the franchise can go in.
Casey: The Sonic Universe is so rich. There’s still so much more unexplored stuff. Even after completing our trilogy, there’s definitely room for more things to explore moving forward. I think Ben Schwartz said on TV last night that he wants to do 15 movies. We’ll see. I’m not guaranteeing 15 movies.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is now playing in theaters everywhere!
***This interview was edited for length and clarity***
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