Ben Schwartz thinks Ugly Sonic backlash helped franchise

Ben Schwartz thinks the 'Ugly Sonic' outcry was good for the 'Sonic the Hedgehog' films.

The 43-year-old star once again lends his voice to the speedy blue hedgehog in the new movie 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' and reflected on the importance of listening to the fans after they reacted with fury to the trailer for the original film – which depicted the video game icon with human-like teeth – by pushing back the release until the necessary changes were made.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the new picture's LA premiere on Monday (16.12.24), Ben said: "Maybe sometimes you need a little push to really look in the mirror and to hear the fans, to then really figure out if you want to adjust. And we did.

"How often can you think of a film that really listens to its fans and the studio takes money and time to change it because they think it would better the film? I think it's rarely ever happened before, if ever."

Director Jeff Fowler – who has helmed all three movies in the franchise – quipped that 'Ugly Sonic' was a "necessary sacrifice" to create a successful film series.

The filmmaker said: "It was out of the ashes of 'Ugly Sonic' that this beautiful trilogy of films, this phoenix, had to rise. It was a necessary sacrifice but yes, thank you 'Ugly Sonic' for the memories."

Ben is joined in the film by stars such as Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba and joked that he wants Daniel Day-Lewis to voice a character in the next movie.

He said: "If we don't get DDL in 4, I don't know what I'm doing with myself."

Schwartz has gotten used to playing Sonic on the screen and was pleased to tap into the emotions of the beloved Sega character in the latest film.

The 'Renfield' actor told Nerd Reactor: "I think doing these movies really gets you in the zone.

"I know exactly how Sonic would talk, how he would act with something, how he would react, how he'd improvise in the moment.

"I think one of the fun things about this movie is that we tap into different emotions of Sonic. There are some moments with real anger, and him imparting wisdom, as opposed to, oftentimes, he's the one getting them from Tom (James Marsden).

"So I think it's like watching him grow up a bit, but also being like the same goofy, fun Sonic."

Ben confessed that he is often taken aback by the stardom that comes with voicing the character.

He explained: "I'll go to a theatre and I'll see people react, and I realise it's my voice that's making them laugh or cry or feeling so pumped.

"I love that I get to be a part of this. I love that I leave voice notes for kids, and watch them freak out and get so excited. It makes me feel like I'm in something way bigger than myself. And it's, it's beyond exciting."