Sonic the Hedgehog has once again leapt onto the big screen with the recent release of Sonic 3: O Filme, which has met with both commercial success and fan excitement. Released last week, the film has reportedly already attracted enough interest to greenlight the production of Sonic 4, much to the joy of voice actor Ben Schwartz, who lends his voice to the beloved character.
Schwartz, also known for his role on the sitcom Parks and Recreation, recently shared some inside information about the comedic decisions made during the filming of the franchise's latest installment. A self-proclaimed jokester, Schwartz revealed he had sought to include one specific joke throughout the series but was repeatedly shot down by the film's director, Jeff Fowler.
During an interview with IGN Brasil, Schwartz expressed his disappointment over the joke's exclusion, stating, "I improvise so many jokes and (director) Jeff (Fowler) was like, 'Of course not!'" The joke Schwartz had hoped to incorporate draws from a rather obscure reference from the animated series The Critic, which aired for just three seasons between 1994 and 1995. The series featured the character Jay Sherman, who was known for his signature line, 'hachi machi.' Schwartz's desire was for Sonic to imitate this phrase, yet Fowler believed it didn't fit the character or franchise's spirit.
He elaborated on the joke's backstory, explaining, "There’s a very specific nerd reference, I’m not sure if the show aired in Brazil, but there was a 90s series called (The) Critic. It was an animated series, and the catchphrase of one character was 'hachi machi'." Despite attempting to incorporate this catchphrase up to twenty times across all films, Schwartz faced consistent rejection. "Sonic doesn’t say 'hachi machi,' but I think he said if we have a fourth film, I might get one 'hachi machi' out of him," Schwartz joked, leaving fans to wonder if they might finally hear the phrase when Sonic 4 hits theaters.
The anticipation for Sonic 4 is already building, as if Schwartz will finally get the chance to use this quirky tagline. He reflects fondly on the idea of humor as it manifests through Sonic's character. Will the filmmakers allow more room for humor and references to unexpected pop culture next time? Only time will tell, with a projected release date for Sonic 4 anticipated around 2027.
For those unfamiliar with The Critic, the show originally featured only 33 episodes, created by experienced writers from The Simpsons, Al Jean and Mike Reiss. While the show's niche humor may not resonate with everyone, Schwartz's attempts to incorporate the phrase represent the playful spirit he tries to maintain throughout his performance as Sonic.
Reviews for Sonic 3: O Filme have been predominantly positive, netting scores like 8.5/10, indicating not only the success of this film but the resilience of the franchise as it turns the tide on initial skepticism when the first film trailer dropped. The first iteration of Sonic was met with criticism due to its design, yet the two sequels have proved to lead to much brighter box office adaptations. With so many elements successfully coming together, the conversations around humor, character development, and pop culture references continue, propelled forward by Schwartz's enthusiasm.
For those curious about the franchise's direction, the conclusion of this story is yet to be fully written. With the success of the most recent film and the growth of its fanbase, Sonic 4 appears to be on the horizon. While we wait for confirmation on the projected inclusion of 'hachi machi', the dialogue surrounding character adaptations, humor, and nostalgia will likely continue.
