‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ Star Ben Schwartz Celebrates Box Office Milestone by Recalling the Franchise’s Near-Miss Disaster

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The response to Sonic the Hedgehog‘s initial controversial design showcased a remarkable display of online unity. And despite three films, shattered box office records (including a fresh record set just last night), Ben Schwartz – who plays Sonic in the movies – can’t help but humorously ponder about alternate possibilities. As Sonic and his companions surpassed the $1 billion milestone, Schwartz used the internet to express gratitude towards his followers, while also recalling one of the worst video game designs ever created.

In the mere few weeks since its debut, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has propelled the series to unprecedented success, setting new records and receiving glowing accolades. With an astounding $338 million in ticket sales for Sonic 3 alone, the SEGA series climbed up the ladder to become the fourth-highest-grossing video game franchise of all time, trailing only behind Resident Evil, Pokémon, and Super Mario Bros..

On X (previously Twitter), Sonic’s voice actor Schwartz expressed his excitement about an impressive accomplishment and acknowledged fans for their unwavering backing of the series. However, he couldn’t help but throw a subtle dig at what will always be remembered as “the less attractive Sonic.

I can’t help but wonder if you recall the initial trailer?” I mused in my post. After all, it’s hard to forget the strikingly human eyes, unusual teeth, and astonishingly realistic fur that graced Sonic’s original design – a sight that was as memorable as it was surprising!

The reaction to this unsettling content from Internet users was immediate and universal, leading to a multi-month pause in the release of the first movie as animators revised Sonic’s appearance. During those months, there was a strong belief among many that the Sonic franchise was on its way to collapse. Few would have predicted that it would eventually earn a billion dollars at the box office, nearly five years down the line.

Indeed, numerous comments on Schwartz’s post echoed the same viewpoint, labeling Sonic’s success as one of the most remarkable turnarounds in Hollywood. For your convenience, you can read Schwartz’s appreciative remarks below, but I’d advise against watching the original trailer if you plan to get some rest tonight.

“Ugly Sonic” May Have Saved the Sonic the Hedgehog Franchise

In contrast to many other live-action adaptations of previously animated series, which have faced criticism regarding their CGI, Sonic the Hedgehog stands out as a franchise that rarely, if ever, receives such criticism because it uniquely adjusted its design in response to audience feedback.

When reflecting on the disappointing first trailer for Sonic, Schwartz highlighted Sonic’s extraordinary pathway to triumph by saying, “Perhaps sometimes you need a significant nudge to truly gaze into the mirror and hear the fans, enabling you to then decide if you wish to modify. Can you recall many films that genuinely listen to their audience, and the studio invests money and effort to alter it because they believe it will enhance the film?

During the very same discussion, director Jeff Fowler actually expressed gratitude towards Ugly Sonic for helping the franchise prosper.

Or simply: Director Jeff Fowler thanked Ugly Sonic in the conversation for contributing to the franchise’s success.

From the remnants of ‘Ugly Sonic’ emerged this stunning film trilogy, like a reborn phoenix. It was a painful yet essential transformation, and we are grateful for the memories, ‘Ugly Sonic’.

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but reflect on the iconic character, Ugly Sonic, which sadly became a synonym for a misstep in CGI remakes of animated media. However, it serves as an impressive demonstration of why studios must heed fan feedback.

In another scenario, the creators of Sonic might have persisted with their initial concept despite facing opposition, but it’s probable that the franchise wouldn’t have thrived under such circumstances. Instead, they chose to heed audience feedback, which led Sonic the Hedgehog not just to become a blockbuster series of financially successful films, but also to carve out a special place in the hearts of fans as a heartfelt and cherished piece of media. The creators strived to meet the high expectations set by the original source material and the fans’ nostalgia for it.

Thank you, Valiant Sonic, for your courageous act! Your heroism will be remembered through humorous memes and even a peculiar Christmas sweater, creatively designed by Paramount Pictures themselves.

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2025-01-09 02:32