Summary

Solar Opposites faced a challenging decision after Justin Roiland’s departure due to controversy: should they find a soundalike replacement or venture into new territory? The show decided not to pursue a soundalike voice to avoid the uncanny valley and instead embraced the change, creating something memorable and fun. Dan Stevens was chosen for the role of Korvo based on his hilarious and heartfelt audition, and while the change in voice has been met with mixed emotions, it signals the show’s willingness to experiment and evolve.

Animation has given us countless memorable characters, largely due to the distinctive voices behind them. Solar Opposites on Hulu, a show that explores extraterrestrial existence on Earth, is among the recent ones grappling with significant changes. When co-creator and voice behind the lead character Korvo, Justin Roiland, found himself amid a whirlwind of controversy, the show was left with a challenging decision. Would they attempt to mirror Roiland’s unmistakable voice or venture into new territory?

Roiland, who once occupied the forefront of the show’s voice cast, was discharged in 2023 after being charged with felony domestic abuse. This charge not only affected Solar Opposites but also led to his departure from other projects, including Koala Man and the widely renowned Rick and Morty. Both shows grappled with the choice of how to move forward without their leading voice, with Rick and Morty opting to find a soundalike replacement.

However, in an exclusive with Screen Rant, Sydney Ryan, the supervising producer of Solar Opposites, shared a unique perspective. Ryan shone light on their decision to not pursue a soundalike voice, expressing concerns about stumbling into the “uncanny valley” – an eerie feeling when something is almost but not quite right. Their aim was to take the inevitable change in stride, leaning into it to create something truly memorable.

Ryan shared:

“When we found out that Korvo was going to be recast, we didn’t want to match the previous voice. We felt it would come across as uncanny valley, or like we were doing a cover song. Solar is a show where weird things are totally normal: the aliens have ray guns that can shrink people down, or they can bring a book to life or whatever you can imagine. We thought it would be funny to take this curveball and use it as an opportunity to do something wild. We all figured it was already going to be distracting, so why not lean into it and make it memorable and fun? We worked with our amazing casting team, listened to a TON of auditions, and we met with a lot of talented actors. Marci Proietto, the Executive Vice President and Head of 20th Television Animation, was the one who suggested Dan because he had done an exceptional job on another 20th show. It turned out Dan was already a fan of Solar Opposites, which was awesome, AND his audition was hilarious and heartfelt. Korvo’s a complicated character to play because he’s brusque and pissed all the time, but you still love him. Dan threaded that needle perfectly! He’s a phenomenal actor, and we’re so lucky to have him on the show.”

RELATED: Solar Opposites Season 4 Review: Pure Fun From Beginning to End

Solar Opposites Season 4 Has Fans Divided, But Changes Echo Success
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Amid a multitude of auditions and considerations, it was Marci Proietto, Executive Vice President and Head of 20th Television Animation, who pitched Dan Stevens for the role. He was not just an enthusiast of the show; his audition showcased an ideal mix of comedy and sentiment, proving his acting prowess. With him joining the team, Ryan’s enthusiasm knows no bounds, and it aligns with the appreciation of many for his individualistic rendition of the role.

However, the road to acceptance hasn’t been smooth for all fans. The dramatic shift in voice was met with a mix of emotions. Critically, the change was welcomed, but audiences seemed torn. Review aggregates like Rotten Tomatoes present a polarizing 39% approval for season 4, indicating that while some are aboard the change train, others are still warming up to it.

It’s worth noting that controversies, as seen with shows like Max’s Velma, can sometimes pave the way for success. Solar Opposites’ new direction doesn’t only steer clear of attempting to replicate Roiland’s voice but also signals a willingness to experiment and evolve. If Stevens ever decides to step down or hand over the role, who’s to say the show won’t embrace yet another intriguing change?

For those eager to hear the latest rendition of their favorite alien scientist, Solar Opposites Season 4 is now up and ready to stream on Hulu.