Cristo Fernández on Playing Jim Carrey’s Favorite Telenovela Star

Ted Lasso star Cristo Fernández spoke to ComingSoon Editor-in-Chief Tyler Treese about his hilarious cameo role in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as a telenovela star that Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik watches. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is now available on digital and will arrive on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on April 15, 2025. The 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray Combo will also be available in two collectible SteelBooks while supplies last.

“Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails are back for their most epic adventure yet. The team reunites to face a new formidable foe, Shadow, a mysterious hedgehog with powers unlike anything they’ve ever seen. Team Sonic must secure an unexpected alliance if they hope to stop Shadow and save the planet. Keanu Reeves joins the all-star cast as Shadow the Hedgehog,” says the synopsis.

Tyler Treese: In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, you’re playing a telenovela star of La Última Pasión. What was your reaction when you were approached with this very funny part? It’s kind of outside the main story, but it’s still hilarious.

Cristo Fernández: Yeah, it was. I grew up watching Jim Carrey’s comedies and that’s part of what informed and made me know more about comedies and my comedic timing. Also in Mexico, where I’m from in Guadalajara, comedy has been part of my life with my friends and my family. But I’m just very grateful. Jeff Fowler, the director, gave me the opportunity.

Even though I was not on set with Jim, just knowing that Jim knows about my existence and that I was part of such an iconic franchise… I remember growing up and playing Sonic the video game and in the [Sega Genesis], and I was just very excited.

The telenovela star whose evil twin portrays the other good twin, that was already hilarious. I was just very excited, and honestly, even though it was a short cameo, I know people have been talking a lot about it, and it makes me very proud. People talk about it. I hope [it] says that I did a good job, hopefully, and that it was funny.

You mentioned being a fan of Jim Carrey. How was it when you got to see the movie and see him reacting to your sketch? That had to be a real trip for you.

Yeah, it was hilarious. Especially like my parents didn’t know anything about it, so I took my parents and my sister Paloma, and we all went to the movies. Then they saw me, and they were like, “Ahh!” And they were very excited. I was very excited. Yes, it was funny. It was cool.

You get to play the twin brothers like you mentioned — Pablo and Juan. Have you ever had to do that before? Where you’re acting with yourself and playing two different characters in the same role?

I’ve never done it in a film. I did, once, a trailer for Forza Horizon for Xbox, and I’m a taxi driver and I drive around Mexico City and things like that. Then I have an alter ego. The taxi driver always wish wishes he could do other stuff. And then suddenly out of nowhere a passenger gets in the car and it’s me… but cool. And the taxi driver needs to be as cool as his alter ego.

But never like this. That was pretending to be cool. This was so much fun. This was another level. It was cool. […] I was always speaking with Jeff, the director. The more ridiculous it was getting, the better.

There’s this great scene where Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog is watching it, and he says, “Gabriela should kill them both. She’s not a prize to be won.” Do you agree with Shadow’s assessment there?

I think so. You know, in those circumstances, that that’s the only solution. [laugh] That was also very funny.

How has the reaction been? Because you’re a big surprise in this film. It wasn’t really in the marketing. It was such a pleasant, out-there part of the movie.

It’s been very cool. And I’m also proud to say here in Mexico, I’m developing my film company with my sister Paloma, Spectrum X Films. We have two Mexican films in cinemas at the moment. Hopefully, one day, you’ll also watch them. But also we have Sonic the Hedgehog in cinemas. So it’s been a dream come true to be able to have three films where I’m part of that are in cinemas at the moment.

Cinema is where my passion lies. I love TV, of course, and I love all the other forms, but cinema is where I started. Going to the cinemas, eating popcorn with my parents, with my friends, and dreaming that one day I could be there too. And yeah, that’s why my fans, my family, and my friends are proud of me, and I feel proud of myself, and it’s been a long journey.

Also, I have little nephews. So having a family film like Sonic and that we can all go and watch it, all of us together, really warms my heart.

Are you looking to do more in comedy going forward? Where are you trying to find your space here within the world of cinema?

First, I hope one day I can meet Jim Carrey and Keanu Reeves [laughs]. I know I just met them in the story. But I am a big fan of them. I know I just told you Jim Carrey is my hero, my comedic hero when it comes from my heart and the things I want to create. It’s always comedy. I’m always thinking about comedy.

Even when I collaborate with other writers and writing something, they have to take me down with my jokes. But as a producer and storyteller, I’m just into a good story. A universal story, a story that connects I love real life dramas with touches of comedy. As an actor, I love psychological thrillers. I would love to have one day a challenge like that, and I love that humor too.

Those are the stories that I’m really more into. But as long as it’s a universal story, I would love to know more about it.

Thanks to Cristo Fernández for taking the time to talk about Sonic the Hedgehog 3.