As a huge fan of Ben Schwartz‘s work, I can confidently say that his comedic talent is truly unparalleled. His ability to bring characters like Leonardo DiCaprio’s dog in “Inside Problems” or Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on “Parks and Recreation” to life is nothing short of amazing.
Even though they both acted in “Sonic the Hedgehog 3”, Ben Schwartz hadn’t met Keanu Reeves or Idris Elba face-to-face until the red carpet event in London.
The three performers spent every moment in sound studios, diligently recording dialogue for their endearing yet potent video game characters. Schwartz has been voicing Sonic, the swift and blue hedgehog, since the initial 2020 film; Idris joined as the incredibly strong Knuckles, a red echidna, in the 2022 sequel; and now action legend Reeves takes on Shadow, an evil black hedgehog, for the third installment.
Shadow, the ominous hedgehog character, was subtly introduced in the post-credit sequence of “Sonic 2,” much like how Tails, Sonic’s avian sidekick (voiced by Colleen O’Shaughnessey), was alluded to in the initial film’s closing scene. Shadow contrasts with Sonic’s carefree, cheerful demeanor, being gloomy, brooding, and mischievous instead. The villainous hedgehog forms an alliance with Dr. Ivo Robotnik, portrayed by Jim Carrey, and his grandfather Gerald Robotnik, who is also played by a heavily prosthetically enhanced and aged-up version of Carrey.
This weekend, “Sonic 3” is expected to take the top spot at the box office, outperforming Disney’s “The Lion King: Mufasa” and the speedy hedgehog shows no signs of slowing down – another movie will be released in theaters in 2027.
Using EbMaster, Schwartz delves into his voiceover techniques, shares updates on “Sonic 4”, and hints at potential locations for his upcoming comedy special “Ben Schwartz and Friends”.
Could you describe the environment where you record your voiceovers? When you’re recording, is Keanu Reeves physically present as well during his performances for the character Shadow, or do you work independently?
I’m all alone in this project, much like a solitary young lad. I’m the one who memorizes and delivers lines while someone else reads the opposite parts. Afterward, it’s my job to perform with the footage and performances they plan to use. I record more voiceovers than most Voiceover (VO) artists for this project – about 20 takes in total. My goal is always to surpass what’s already been done, and I get to review rough cuts, offer suggestions, and actively contribute to the process. I strive to improve the movie as a whole, not just my role. If I can enhance a joke in Shadow’s land by setting it up better, or make an action scene more intense with added effort, I will do so. We go through multiple iterations of the film until we feel satisfied that we’ve achieved the best possible version. It’s not about making my role shine brighter, but if I can improve a scene in any way, I’ll seize the opportunity.
When it comes to Sonic, he’s constantly bounding and darting about on the screen. So, how energetically lively are you during your recordings?
As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I find myself mirroring Sonic’s actions during my screen time. When he sprints, I mimic running in place. When he throws a punch, it’s the air that feels the impact. To make the blows land authentically, I subtly adjust my entire body. When he indulges in a snack, I reach for bananas instead of chili dogs – after all, those are what I usually eat when watching these movies. My aim is to immerse myself as deeply as possible into the film, creating an experience that feels real and tangible. I yearn for the movie to touch your heart, not just be another broad, cartoony character. Instead, Sonic represents a kid with warmth, a dash of humor, and a longing to win over his viewers, all while grappling with genuine issues. As we grow along with our audience, the themes in these movies mature, yet they remain engaging for younger fans who adore this franchise.
You’re a “Sonic” veteran at this point in the third movie, and now you’ve got Keanu Reeves.
To put it simply, I’m a seasoned athlete, not quite on par with LeBron James. Currently, the title of the oldest NBA player belongs to someone else; I just can’t recall who that might be at the moment. It often crosses my mind that it could be LeBron.
You kind of have Keanu as your Bronny James, coming into his first year in the “Sonic” leagues.
Indeed, there’s a common comparison between you and LeBron James, as well as Keanu Reeves being likened to his son Bronny. However, I need to come up with a more creative analogy. When I was young, it felt like I was similar to Olden Polynice, Otis Thorpe, Craig Hodges – those players who seemed immortal in their longevity. I see myself in a similar light. I don’t aspire for superstar status; instead, I consider myself a dedicated role player. However, I find the notion of you referring to Keanu Reeves as my child amusing and intriguing.
Were you essentially guiding him through the world of the franchise? Did you offer him any advice? How familiar with Sonic was he prior to working on the film?
It wasn’t until yesterday’s premiere that I finally got to meet Idris Elba, despite having worked with him on two films and a TV series previously. You could say we’re both quite secluded in our workspaces, so it was a real treat for me, being such an ardent Keanu Reeves fan, to finally shake hands with him. I admire Jim Carrey and Idris Elba immensely, and the opportunity to collaborate with these legends, who I regard as the LeBrons in their field, is incredibly exhilarating. In other words, I feel like a young LeBron James learning from the greats.
What was the first thing you said to Keanu when you met him?
I gave him a choice between two pills, labeling them “red” and “blue.” One was Lactaid, the other Ibuprofen. He opted for the Lactaid pill instead.
I didn’t know he was lactose intolerant.
It’s accurate, true fans are aware that Neo suffers from lactose intolerance. He should remember to take precautions, like avoiding milk or ice cream, before consuming them.
In your previous comment, you said that this film is more suited for adults due to its mature content. Could it be possible for Sonic to grow older or reach adulthood in future installments of the series?
You wanna see, like, divorced Sonic in a bunch of years? He’s growing up through his youth. I don’t know if he’ll ever become — that would be kind of weird — to be, like, “My healthcare benefits suck.” It’s more a matter of seeing a child grow and go through these things that children are going through. I play the core of him always the same, but some of the situations he gets himself in take a bit more maturity, and you get to see the things that he’s learned be applied. But if you want to see a Walter Matthau Sonic, I can make that happen.
I’d love to see Sonic navigating a divorce and alimony.
Let me rephrase that for you: “I’m curious about how much spousal support he has to pay in terms of the number of rings, but I’m not sure it’s a film we’re particularly interested in watching.
As a die-hard gamer and film enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the tantalizing hints of a potential fourth installment in the series. If given the chance, there are several video game characters I’d love to see grace the silver screen in this next adventure:
What we jest about at the finale of this film is precisely what I’m eager for us to explore in the fourth. There’s a captivating narrative arc available, and it would take our series to an entirely fresh dimension. That’s what makes these projects thrilling. Each of these movies seems almost like a different genre. The first one leans more towards a buddy comedy. The second one has an adventurous feel, reminiscent of an “Indiana Jones” film. This one delves into the shadows, and the next could have a completely distinct atmosphere. It’s just fantastic! Additionally, we can attract phenomenal talent to bring new characters to life, which is incredibly exciting.
Do folks really enjoy the “Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games” video series, and didn’t we have the Paris event this past summer? Would you be interested in a collaborative film featuring Sonic instead?
There’s two things I would love. I love Chris Pratt. I think he’s amazing, and he plays Mario — which we probably shouldn’t talk about in this interview — but the “Olympic Games” is great. What I really think could be bananas is if we get a “Super Smash Bros.” spinoff, but that would take so many different studios being kind to each other at the same time. But the idea that we get to build our own franchise that lives on its own, and we have so many characters within this franchise, that we can do three, four, five, six — that’s what I’m concentrating on and that’s what I love. If you want to have a battle royale with a bunch of people we all love in video games, because I’m a video game nerd, I would not be against it. I would see if Paramount would let me go play. But I think that right now, it’s “Sonic 3” and if we can get to “Sonic 4” we have so much stuff we want to explore.
It has been announced that Nintendo is planning to produce a “Legend of Zelda” movie. This could potentially be another step towards the creation of a “Super Smash Bros.” film.
We’re making progress. In fact, there’s an existing “Pikachu” film. If it were possible for multiple production studios, who typically have rivalries, to collaborate on the same project and share the earnings, it would be quite remarkable.
Your comedy really cracks me up, especially the “Middleditch and Schwartz” shows on Netflix! When can we expect more stand-up routines from you?
One of my favorite experiences so far has been “Middleditch and Schwartz”. Currently, I’ve got a show titled “Ben Schwartz and Friends”, which has been fortunate enough to sell out at Radio City, the Sydney Opera House, and the Royal Albert Hall. Behind the scenes, I’ve been collaborating on something unique with my friends Ben Schwartz that we are now ready to discuss with select individuals. The project has been in development for a while, and we’re at a point where we can gauge interest to see if others might want to join us. If everything falls into place, it promises to be incredibly exciting, and I believe you would share my enthusiasm. For months, I’ve been pouring my energy into this project, with the goal of captivating potential networks with its distinctiveness and originality. As of now, I must maintain secrecy about the details, but rest assured that there are some intriguing developments in store – we’ll see where it leads us!
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2024-12-20 22:47