As the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise surpasses a major box office milestone, star Ben Schwartz thanks loyal fans for their continuous support. Schwartz first took on the role of Sega’s beloved video game mascot in 2020’s Sonic the Hedgehog, Paramount’s celebrated adaptation of the video game franchise. He reprised the role for two further movie sequels and the spin-off series Knuckles. In the recently released Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Schwarz’s blue hedgehog takes on a vengeful new foe in the form of Shadow the Hedgehog, with Keanu Reeves providing the voice of the anti-hero.
With Sonic the Hedgehog 3 still outrunning other movies at the box office, Schwartz took to Twitter/X to celebrate the franchise surpassing the $1 billion mark. In the joyous post, Schwartz celebrated the fandom’s continued support throughout the entire franchise, thanking them and stating that Sonic the Hedgehog wouldn’t be where it is without them. He then jokingly asked whether anyone remembers the now-infamous first design for the live-action Sonic, remarking that things had come a long way. His full post is below:
What Schwartz’s Response Means For His Sonic the Hedgehog Future
The Actor Has Added New Depth To The Character
Despite a rough start with the oddly-proportioned, hyperrealistic Sonic design, it is clear from Schwartz’s response that he is pleased to be a part of the franchise. Schwartz’s take on Sonic stands out from past incarnations, as the movies explore his growth from a fun-seeking but lonely orphan to a hero who has the family that he has always wanted, grappling with his enormous powers. As such, Sonic has become a fully fleshed-out character in his own right that even newcomers to the series have come to love.
As such, Schwartz’s continued enthusiasm likely guarantees that he will continue to play a part in the franchise long after Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The arrival of Shadow in the third movie already hinted at a brighter future for the franchise, but Sonic the Hedgehog 3‘s post-credits scene, which features the debuts of two more fan-favorite characters, definitely confirms there is more ahead. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has now been dated for 2027, and Schwartz’s continued positivity indicates that he is ready for one more lap as the blue mascot.
Our Take On Sonic the Hedgehog’s Box Office Milestone
The Franchise Has Defied Many Expectations
While the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise’s continued success shows how strong the series remains, Schwartz’s response reminds viewers of what could have been a make-or-break moment. The character’s original onscreen design, coupled with an oddly-edited bit of footage, led to the April 2019 trailer becoming unanimously disliked; it was no longer just certain creatives behind the scenes who had criticism, but the majority of the online audience. Soon after, Sonic the Hedgehog was delayed by three months, and the character received a drastic redesign.
Despite such a rough first impression, the franchise has been a consistent success. Each installment earned positive praise that grew with each release, with Sonic the Hedgehog 3 earning a new peak Rotten Tomatoes score of 86% among critics. In Screen Rant‘s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review, it received 8 out of ten stars. With steady growth and each feature building on the past movies’ success, the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise has not only broken free of its poor early impressions, but has avoided becoming an example of why video game movie adaptations are doomed to fail.
Source: Ben Schwartz/Twitter
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog is a multimedia franchise that began with Sonic the Hedgehog’s release for the Sega Genesis in 1991. The franchise follows the adventures of the titular Blue Blur, Sonic, as he fights the nefarious Dr. Eggman to protect his friends, family, and the world. The series has expanded into several video games, multiple comic book series, television shows, and a Hollywood feature film series.
- Movie(s)
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Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie (1996)
, Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)
, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) - First Film
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Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie (1996)
- Character(s)
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Sonic the Hedgehog
, Tails Prower
, Knuckles the Echidna
, Amy Rose
, Dr. Eggman
, Mighty the Armadillo
, Ray the Squirrel
, Vector the Crocodile
, Charmy the Bee
, Espio the Chameleon
, Shadow the Hedgehog
, Big the Cat
, Rouge the Bat
, Metal Sonic - Video Game(s)
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Sonic the Hedgehog
, Sonic the Hedgehog 2
, Sonic the Hedgehog CD
, Sonic the Hedgehog 3
, Sonic & Knuckles
, Sonic Adventure
, Sonic Adventure 2
, Sonic Heroes
, Sonic Unleashed
, Sonic Colors
, Sonic Generations
, Sonic Lost World
, Sonic Forces
, Sonic Frontiers
, Sonic Shuffle
, Sonic Advance 1
, Sonic Advance 2
, Sonic Advance 3
, Sonic Rush
, Sonic Rush Adventure
, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood