Solar Opposites Season 4: Why Did Korvos Voice Change?

Every time a long-time cast member leaves a show, fans want to know what made them leave.

Sometimes, it’s because another show gives them better pay, a better character to play, or more screen time. For example, Lexa star Alycia Debnam-Carey allegedly left CW’s The 100 for Fear The Walking Dead for these reasons.

In the worst-case scenario, the network kicks them out because the gossip or allegations surrounding them could hurt the public perception or endanger the show’s future. So which one of them is the reason why Solar Opposites changed Korvos’ voice?

In Solar Opposites season 4, instead of Justin Roiland, Dan Stevens voices one of the main characters- Korvo. Hulu and 20th Century Animation cut ties with him after he was accused of domestic battery and inappropriate behavior. To make the change in the show, the writers made Korvo get accidentally hit with a dart thrown by Terry in the neck. Yumyulackthen used a voice repair ray to replace his voice with another one.

Why Did Korvos Voice Change in Solar Opposites Season 4?

Hulu’s Solar Opposites (2020) is an adult animated show that follows several extraterrestrial beings who had to leave their home planet because an asteroid annihilated it. In their search for a new home across the stars, these misfit aliens crash-land on Earth and begin living in the American suburbs.

The show is a mix of sci-fi and absurdist comedy. It is executive produced by Mike McMahan and Josh Bycel. It is co-created by Justin Roiland of Rick and Morty. One of the significant characters of the series is Korvo, who Justin Roiland voiced. However, in season 4, viewers have noted that his voice seems drastically different.

Korvo’s in-show reason for the voice change is that he got accidentally stabbed by a dart in his neck by his partner Terry. So, Yumyulack used a voice restoration ray that replaced Korvo’s voice with another one. This time, his voice became British and was way more smooth-talking than the squawk that he had on previously.

The change is very noticeable, but the show made a self-aware joke by stating that no one would notice the difference. But why was such a sudden change made? After all, instead of Justin Roiland, it is Dan Stevens who voices the character of Korvo now.

It’s because Roiland was kicked out of the show after he was accused of domestic battery in January 2023 and faced legal issues as a result. He was charged with one felony count of false imprisonment by violence, menace, fraud, and/or deceit, as well as one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury.

The incident happened against an unnamed Jane Doe, who was in a relationship with Roiland on or around Jan. 19, 2020. He was charged in Orange County, Calif. Also, multiple other people came forward, accusing him of inappropriate behavior.

20th Television Animation and Hulu Originals informed The Wrap in a statement that: “We have ended our association with Justin Roiland.” Since Solar Opposites has a lighter and overall sillier tone, the absurd way of changing the voice worked.

However, the charges against him were dropped earlier in the year. Roiland hit out at Jane Doe, calling her an embittered ex who wanted to cancel him. The charges were dismissed because of a “lack of sufficient evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.”

But there’s no word about Roiland getting hired back. Also, it doesn’t look like he will be welcomed back because Solar Opposites has been renewed for another season, and Dan Steves looks like he is staying around

Stevens is also more than competent for voicing Korvo because his voice-acting filmography includes Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts as Scarlemagne/Hugo, The Sea Beast as Admiral Hornagold, and The Prince as Prince Charles/Philip. Also, he has played Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey.

What are your thoughts about the voice change of Korvo in Solar Opposites?

Will this abrupt change work? Do you think Hulu was quick to judge Justin Roiland and should have waited for the official investigation to conclude before firing him?

Let us know in the comments below.

Source: The Wrap and BBC