The 'Recast Eggman' controversy emerged in late 2023 and early 2024 following a series of social media interactions by Mike Pollock, the long-standing voice actor for Dr. Eggman. The situation escalated when fans pointed out Pollock's vocal support for Zionism and alleged that he had liked or encouraged posts containing slurs directed at critics. This sparked an intense debate within the Sonic the Hedgehog community, leading to the viral 'Recast Eggman' movement. Memes associated with this controversy often feature screenshots of the actor's tweets contrasted with the iconic villain's expressions, reflecting the community's divided response over whether an actor's personal views should result in their removal from a legendary role.