Dr. Eggman voice actor Mike Pollock has confirmed he has kept his role, as other Sonic the Hedgehog voice actors have confirmed they will not be returning.
We previously reported how Roger Craig Smith announced would no longer voicing Sonic the Hedgehog, after voicing the character for ten years. Since then, voice actresses for Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey) and Amy Rose (Cindy Robinson) confirmed they would also not be returning.
This caused speculation if other voice actors and actresses would be replaced, including the allegation that Pollock would have to re-audition for the role of Dr. Eggman. Pollock dismissed the rumors, along with discouraging fans and social media users from speculating on little information.
“If speculation results in mis-aiming the finger of blame,” Pollock explained, “that can’t end well.” This may be referring to how some assumed Smith had been fired from his role.
Now Pollock has confirmed he has retained his roll as the 300-IQ megalomaniac. Once again, he explained that the reason for the casting choices are complex.
“You know what they say: the more the merrier!
You’ve not yet heard the last of me as Dr. Eggman in Sonic the Hedgehog video games! Kindly prepare your ears accordingly.
If you guessed otherwise, SURPRISE!!!!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to stock up on lozenges.
On a personal note, I know you’ll want to speculate about what happened, and possible casting choices, but please bear in mind that, IRL, actors’ careers are steered by auditions, callbacks, bookings and rejections.
It’s a bit more complicated than choosing sides for kickball.”
Pollock has played Dr.Eggman since 2003 in the Sonic X cartoon; taking over the role from Deem Bristow in the video games. He continued to keep his role when new casting occurred with Sonic Colors and Sonic Free Riders.
While Pollock specifically confirmed he would continue to voice the character in video games, it is likely he will reprise his role in the upcoming 3D animated Sonic Prime Netflix series. Past cartoons have usually attempted to keep the same cast as the video games, but nothing has been confirmed about casting for the series thus far.
In earlier news, a business-to-business advert for Sonic the Hedgehog confirmed new games will be revealed in 2021 for the series’ 30th anniversary; along with a wave of new merchandise. As such, the new voice actor for Sonic may soon be revealed, assuming recording lines for the video game and subsequent trailers will begin soon.
Mike Pollock’s other roles have included the narrator in the Pokemon anime, Adon Coborlwitz in 2002’s Berserk, Deus Prometh in Promare, and Yakov Nikitin in Dr. Stone. He will also be appearing in upcoming English dub of the Memories anthology.
Pollock also took part in Eggman’s “Twitter Take Over”- answering questions in character on the official Sonic the Hedgehog Twitter account. It’s success led to it being done twice more, with other members of the cast.
Image: Sonic Lost World via YouTube