Tika Sumpter is back as Maddie Wachowski in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and this time the stakes—and the excitement—are bigger than ever.

GlobalGrind Sr. Content Director Janeé Bolden caught up with the talented actress to talk about her experiences working alongside Idris Elba, navigating CGI, and what Sonic has taught her about parenting. Spoiler alert: it’s as playful as you’d expect!

Tika Sumpter Talks Idris Elba and Knuckles Going From Foe to Fam In ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 3’

When Idris Elba joined the Sonic franchise as Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, fans were thrilled, and Tika was no exception. “Seeing Idris on the carpet in London—I mean, that’s his home! It was magical,” Tika shared, reminiscing about the big premiere.

“One of the first things we said was, ‘We’ve got to work together on something that’s not a cartoon where you’re not just the voice of Knuckles,’” she laughed.

Having known Idris for years, Tika couldn’t hide her excitement about their collaboration. “London was magical. It was one of the biggest carpets I’ve ever been on and the first premiere in London I’ve attended. The fans were incredible, and the excitement was unmatched.”

Source: Ian West – PA Images / Getty

When it comes to the action in Sonic 3, Tika highlighted some of her favorite scenes. “Seeing Shadow turn from foe to, you know, a reluctant ally with Sonic—that’s something fans will love. Watching these two superheroes come together is just so cool.”

Source: Courtesy Paramount Pictures / SEGA of America, Inc.

Tika Sumpter Talks Mastering the Art Of Acting Alongside CGI In The ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ Films

Playing a key human character in a CGI-heavy movie comes with its own challenges. Tika opened up about the process, admitting it wasn’t always easy.

“The first one was a little tricky,” she confessed. “You’re asking the director, ‘Do I look insane?’ because you’re reacting to things that aren’t there. You’re pretending to put your hand in a certain place, and it feels weird.”

Thankfully, the process has gotten more fun with time—and a bigger budget. “Now they’ve got puppets for us, and we can really feel it. The budget went up!” she joked. “It’s such an honor to use my imagination and play with puppets in this way.”

What Sonic Taught Tika Sumpter About Parenting

Tika’s Sonic experience hasn’t just been about the action—it’s also taught her valuable lessons about parenting. “I’m realizing kids make mistakes, but when they come back home, you’ve got to listen and have their back—even if you don’t like what they did,” she said thoughtfully.

Source: Rachel Murray / Getty

The character of Sonic, with his humor and smart mouth, has also helped Tika become more playful. “Sonic is funny and has that little smart mouth, just like my daughter! At first, I’d be like, ‘No,’ but now I’m learning to just roll with it and be playful with her.”

Of course, we asked Tika what superpower she’d want to borrow from the Sonic universe, and her answer was perfect. “I’d want Shadow’s teleportation power,” she said with a grin. “Imagine just showing up somewhere—boom—and then boom, you’re back home! I’d be on the couch, then in the Maldives, then in Grand Cayman, and then back home cleaning up—all in the blink of an eye.”

Source: Courtesy / Paramount Pictures

And if she could teleport anywhere right now? “Tokyo is at the top of my list,” she said. “I’d just travel the world with my friends. No jet lag, no exhaustion—just pure adventure.”

Tika Sumpter’s infectious energy and love for her role make it clear why fans keep coming back for more. Catch her and the rest of the crew in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, in theaters now!