I Just Learned How Ben Schwartz Landed The Role Of Sonic And It’s Honestly Not As Adorable As I Expected

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As a cinema devotee with decades of movie-watching experience under my belt, I must say that Ben Schwartz‘s story of landing the role of Sonic the Hedgehog is as unexpected as a plot twist in a M. Night Shyamalan film. It lacks the charm of David Corenswet’s Superman journey, but it does highlight Schwartz’s impressive comedic talents and their fittingness for the Sonic franchise.

When it comes to adaptations of Sonic the Hedgehog lore, there’s two people my mind automatically goes to when imagining his voice. Those two people are naturally the OG animated actor Jaleel White, and the cinematic blue blur himself Ben Schwartz. Surprisingly, in the run up to Sonic 3’s release in the final throes of 2024 movies, the Parks and Rec veteran shared the story of how he landed the role to begin with. And while it’s still pretty cool, it’s not as adorable as I’d expected.

I think it’s because we’re conditioned to want the good old fashioned tale of a fan getting to live their dream and play the character they’ve always loved. That story about David Corenswet landing the lead in Superman while making Twisters is a good example. But in a CBS Morning’s Instagram video promoting the outlet’s interview with Schwartz and co-star James Marsden, the comedian shared the following as his Sonic the Hedgehog origin story:

Originally, I conducted a trial with the intention of pitching it to the film studios. At that point, it hadn’t found a suitable home. Later, they requested me to create a brief 5-minute movie featuring Sonic, which would help them sell it. Subsequently, Paramount purchased it. Given their reputation, I assume they approached more established actors than myself. However, they were so impressed with the test that they simply instructed, “Pass it on to Schwartz,” and I got a chance to portray him.

If no one else had previously proposed a comment on the post about this video suggesting a T-shirt with that phrase, I would have done so myself. What seemed like a casual choice doesn’t quite align with the heartwarming tale you might expect. However, it certainly showcases Ben Schwartz’s comedic talents and their compatibility with the Sonic the Hedgehog series.

The chops being referred to are examples of how stories have commended Schwartz for his knack for coming up with ideas spontaneously. A deleted scene from Sonic 2, which mimics the humor of Parks and Recreation, illustrates this talent perfectly. In a situation where there wasn’t a pre-written script to work off of, Schwartz’s quick thinking improvisation skills came into play as Sonic interacted with another family movie night.

As fortune would have it, just like Chris Sanders stumbled upon voicing his own blue masterpiece in “Lilo and Stitch”, Ben Schwartz found himself embodying the iconic character of Sonic the Hedgehog. It’s challenging to imagine any other actor bringing this dynamic character to life as brilliantly as he does.

It’s quite ironic since the trivia about Sonic the Hedgehog suggested another well-known figure would take on the role, which later went to James Marsden. Just as it seems impossible to visualize a different voice actor for Sonic, it’s equally hard to imagine Marsden, Tika Sumpter, or any of the talented cast members from Sonic the Hedgehog 3 being replaced by another actor.

This vacation is centered around the release of “Sonic the Hedgehog 3”, and you’ll have the chance to watch it in cinemas, with early screenings beginning today. If you’d like to reacquaint yourself with the storyline of the initial two movies, or catch up on the “Knuckles” spin-off series to bridge any gaps, that’s easily achievable. It’s all readily available at your preferred Paramount+ subscription platform, offering a wonderful blend of relaxation and thrill for your year-end break.

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2024-12-19 20:08