The comic book industry is renowned for blatantly copying its competitors. Marvel’s Deadpool was a spoof-slash-rip-off of DC’s Deathstroke and G.I. Joe’s Snake Eyes. And now, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 star Ben Schwartz is eyeing up a character in the new DCU, and no doubt many would assume it’s a rip-off of a rip-off. Schwartz currently stars in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, alongside Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, Jim Carrey, and James Marsden. Schwartz has voiced the character since the first movie in 2020 and, with the third film under his belt, Schwartz is now looking ahead and wants to bring his signature fast-paced humor to one of DC’s funniest characters… Plastic Man.
Of course, Plastic Man isn’t a rip-off of Deadpool. In fact, he appeared on the printed page over 50 years before Wade Wilson. But, the two receive a lot of comparisons because of their wacky powers, quick-witted humor, and anti-hero status. Speaking to ComicBook.com, Ben Schwartz expressed his long-time love for Plastic Man, and his extreme desire to play him in the new DC Universe. “I, of course, love the Marvel universe, but DC has a character named Plastic Man,” Schwartz began. This isn’t the first time the actor has expressed his love for the character. In fact, he’s had the same conversation with the same interviewer multiple times before. This time, he compared Plastic Man to the most popular hero of the year. Schwartz continued:

“I always thought that he could be the Deadpool of the universe. He can be comedic, he has a big thief backstory. I’m obsessed with that character. And he’s funny. And I think having a funny character in the Justice League — technically he is a part of the Justice League — I think that would be a perfect foil for all the other serious characters they have over there.”

Who Is DC’s Plastic Man?

Patrick O’Brian, a.k.a. Plastic Man first debuted in “Police Comics #1” in 1941. Gaining the powers of elasticity after an accident in which he was exposed to mysterious chemicals, O’Brian used his skills to become a successful crook. But, after a chance encounter with a reformed Arkham Asylum inmate, O’Brian decides to use his powers to fight crime, thwarting his old gang and becoming Plastic Man. Hilariously, he wanted to be called Elastic Man, but was misheard by a reporter after stopping his first crime. Considering how fantastical James Gunn’s DC Universe is becoming, Plastic Man could easily fit into the franchise’s rebooted canon. And, despite a long history and a movie that has been in the works for several years, Plastic Man is still one of DC’s lesser-known heroes.

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For now, Ben Schwartz returns for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which brings back many fan favorite characters, as well as introducing Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog. The film releases in theaters on December 21 and will bring the trilogy to a close. But, that doesn’t mean Sonic’s time on the big screen is over. During the conversation, Schwartz teased the mid-credits scene. As well as confirming that the film has a mid-credits scene, the actor also revealed that its contents potentially open the door for a fourth outing.

“For nerds like you and I, we know what that opens up in the canon of what characters can do… and it gives us a place to go for four if we want to go there, which is very exciting.”

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the sequel to the 2022 comedy-adventure movie that featured the Blue Blur and his companions on an adventure to stop Dr. Robotnik from taking over the world. The new film sees the new antagonist Shadow the Hedgehog, arriving to cause trouble for the newly formed trio of heroes, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, as they adjust to their earthly lives.

Release Date

December 20, 2024

Runtime

109 Minutes