Sonic The Hedgehog’s Actor Could Be DC’s Answer To Deadpool

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Summary

  • Ben Schwartz expressing interest in playing Plastic Man in the DCU aligns with James Gunn’s love for quirky heroes.
  • Plastic Man’s comedic and unconventional persona would provide much-needed comic relief in the dark setting of the Justice League.
  • The importance of casting the right actor for a character like Plastic Man, with Ben Schwartz being a strong candidate for the role.

As a longtime fan of both superhero stories and exceptional acting performances, I wholeheartedly believe that Ben Schwartz would be an outstanding choice to bring Patrick O’Brian (Plastic Man) to life on the big screen. With his impressive resume, which includes roles in Parks and Recreation, House of Lies, and voicing Dewey Duck in DuckTales, it is evident that Schwartz has the comedic timing and range necessary to portray the rubbery hero with both charm and humor.

With James Gunn’s DC Universe gearing up for launch, fan discussions about future franchise strategies are already underway. Given the new DC CEO’s affinity for unique, unconventional superheroes, there’s a comic book character that seems tailor-made for screen adaptation – and we have an ideal actor eager to bring this role to life.

Comparing Plastic Man to Deadpool within the context of DC Comics might be a bit simplistic, but it’s the most fitting comparison. Debuting in 1941 and reintroduced by DC Comics in 1966, this former petty criminal turned elastic hero is almost synonymous with injecting humor into action narratives on a grand scale. With Ben Schwartz, known for voicing Sonic the Hedgehog, expressing enthusiasm about bringing this character to life, it seems like an ideal moment to introduce Plastic Man into the DC Universe.

Ben Schwartz As Plastic Man In The DCU

Sonic Actor Expresses His Dream

In a conversation with ComicBook.com, Ben Schwartz shared his aspiration to portray Plastic Man in the DC Universe. The 43-year-old entertainer likened this role to Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Interestingly, he has previously voiced his desire to embody this humorous DC character from their comic book collection. At the premiere of Renfield in 2023, Schwartz explicitly stated his intention to join the DC lineup.

I’m friends with James, and I adore him, especially his work on Superman. While I hold a soft spot for the Marvel Universe, DC’s character Plastic Man intrigues me – we’ve discussed this before. With enough conversation, I believe he could have a Deadpool-like vibe in that universe.

Besides James Gunn’s involvement, Schwartz has been expressing his intentions since at least 2019, when Shazam! was considered as the new DC Deadpool. He’s also openly expressed his interest in the project across various social media platforms multiple times.

Regardless of whether Ben Schwartz publicly declared his desire to play Plastic Man or not, he remains an excellent choice for the role. Beyond voicing the lead character in all three Sonic the Hedgehog films, Schwartz has demonstrated his comedic talents in live-action through a variety of roles.

A Filmography Of Proven Comedic Roles

As a die-hard fan of sitcoms, I can’t help but associate Ben Schwartz with his electrifying portrayal of Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on NBC’s beloved show, “Parks and Recreation.” He’s left an indelible mark on other series like “House of Lies,” “Space Force,” and “The Afterparty.” When it comes to voice acting, Schwartz has made a name for himself with roles in shows such as “Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja,” “DuckTales,” and “Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Given his impressive comedic background and knack for using his agility and quirkiness to my advantage, I believe Schwartz would be the ideal choice to bring Plastic Man to life.

Who Is Patrick O’Brian AKA Plastic Man?

To those unfamiliar, Plastic Man’s abilities are similar to Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) and Elastigirl from The Incredibles, but with a twist: he was originally a criminal named Patrick ‘Eel’ O’Brian. In the early comics by Jack Cole, he obtains his powers after falling into a chemical vat. Upon realizing his superhuman elasticity, Patrick abandons his life of crime and chooses to uphold justice, transforming into the hero Plastic Man. Yet, this change didn’t diminish his signature comedic antics, making him reminiscent of Deadpool in his humor.

Character Plastic Man
Alter Ego Patrick “Eel” O’Brian
Creator Jack Cole
First Appearance Police Comics #1 (August 1941)
Powers
  • Superhuman elasticity
  • Shapeshifting
  • Regeneration
Voice Actors
  • Tom Kenny
  • Dana Snyder
  • Michael Bell
Publisher
  • Quality Comics (1941-56)
  • DC Comics (1966 – present)

Plastic Man Is A Great Fit For James Gunn’s DCU

Gunn’s Love For Offbeat DC Characters

In James Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe, lesser-known supporting characters will receive just as much attention as iconic figures like Batman and Superman. This is evident in his work on movies like The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, as well as his successful run with the Guardians of the Galaxy series in the MCU. As a director, Gunn possesses the ability to elicit exceptional performances, even from highly-skilled actors such as Ben Schwartz.

Comic Relief In The Justice League

The DC universe, known for its grim and heroic characters, could benefit greatly from introducing a humorous figure like Plastic Man to provide some much-needed comic relief. This is already being explored with the inclusion of Michael Holt (Mr. Terrific) in the upcoming Superman film, portrayed by Edi Gathegi. Mr. Terrific belongs to a DC team called The Terrifics, consisting of himself, Phantom Girl, Metamorpho, and Plastic Man. Therefore, there’s a possibility that Plastic Man could be integrated into the franchise through this route or even in the second season of Peacemaker, if it’s not too late for such an addition.

Has Plastic Man Been In Any DC Film/TV Show?

Previous Appearances And Attempts

To date, efforts to translate Plastic Man from comics to live-action movies have been unsuccessful, despite numerous attempts on TV and film adaptations. However, he’s made a significant impact in various animated series and video games. For instance, Tom Kenny has given voice to this flexible hero in shows like “Batman: The Brave and the Bold”. More recently, names such as John Mulaney have been mentioned as possible actors for the role.

The Right Actor For The Right Hero

The importance of the right actor finding the right character in a large superhero franchise cannot be understated. Examples like Robert Downey Jr. playing Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Ryan Reynolds playing Deadpool have practically built entire sagas by themselves and brought in billions of dollars to the IP. Like Reynolds, who fought hard to get Deadpool made, Schwartz’ interest and enthusiasm could contribute to the success of a Plastic Man movie.

In essence, having Ben Schwartz portray Patrick O’Brian (Plastic Man) appears to be a long-awaited pairing for comic book enthusiasts. Therefore, DC Universe executives should consider his interest in the role, as it would be a shame to miss out on such a promising fit.

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2024-12-20 18:07