Alan Tudyk Says I, Robot Cut Him From Promo After Audiences Preferred Him Over Will Smith
Why Alan Tudyk's role in I, Robot went unnoticed
Speaking on the Toon'd In with Jim Cummings podcast, Tudyk shared, 'A lot of people did not know I did Sonny the Robot in I, Robot, and there is a reason. They were doing test audiences for the movie, and they score the characters in this kind of test screening. I got word back: 'Alan, you are testing higher than Will Smith.' And then I was gone. I was done.'
The actor, who brought the lovable, humanlike robot Sonny to life through motion capture and voice work, said his removal went beyond just a few ads, as reported by E! News. 'There was no publicity, and my name was not mentioned,' Tudyk shared. 'I was so shocked. I was like, 'Wait, nobody is going to know I'm in it!''
Tudyk said playing Sonny was a challenging and demanding role. 'I put a lot into [that performance],' he shared. 'I had to move like a robot. At the time, I was very upset.' The actor had to perform physically on set while also delivering the character's voice, blending two skill sets that he feels are often underappreciated.
Here's why Tudyk thinks voice acting deserves more credit
The Rogue One: A Star Wars Story actor believes his experience reflects a broader issue in the entertainment industry. 'I was in the room. I'm at the wheel, I was with the actor back and forth,' Alan Tudyk said of working opposite Will Smith during filming. 'My voice is completely attached to the world that everyone is seeing.'
He shared that voice and motion capture acting are integral to a film's success, yet they often don't receive the same recognition as on-screen performances.
While many viewers may not have realized Tudyk was behind Sonny, the actor has built a successful career across film, television, and animation. From Firefly and Resident Alien to his roles in Disney's animated hits like Frozen and Zootopia, Tudyk has become known for his versatility.
Still, the I, Robot experience remains a reminder for him of how recognition in Hollywood doesn't always match the effort put in behind the scenes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
Country singer Ella Langley cancels concerts with Morgan Wallen, here is why
Washington DC [US], August 13 (ANI): Singer-songwriter Ella Langley, who has been opening for Morgan Wallen on his I'm the Problem Tour, announced she was "sad" to be canceling the rest of her August performances to focus on her health, reported E! News. "The past several weeks have been tough," Ella wrote in a statement shared to Instagram, adding, "I've been fighting sickness and feeling more run down than ever. After a lot of thought, I've made the hard decision to take a couple of weeks to rest and focus on my health--mind, body, and heart." She added, "I want to be fully present for all the moments ahead, and I know I can't do that without first taking care of myself." The singer further informed her fans that she is "ready to give you my all" when she returns to the stage in September. "Sometimes we have to listen when our bodies and hearts are telling us to slow down," Ella continued. "I'm so grateful for your understanding and your love--it truly means the world to me," reported E! News. It wasn't the first time the musician--who is nominated for the 2025 MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist alongside Alex Warren, Lola Young, The Marias, Gigi Perez and Sombr--has been vulnerable with her audiences. In fact, she celebrated with her fans and her co-writer Joybeth Taylor last month when her song "Weren't for the Wind" hit No. 1 on country radio, reported E! News. "Theres no telling how many hours me and @joybethtaylor have put into having this moment together," Ella wrote in a July 6 Instagram post. "Since that day on my back porch (the day we wrote our first song) we've dreamt about getting a #1 together. Sure, there have been many days that it seemed pretty much impossible, but we always believed." She added, "Sitting a on plane flying back to Nashville with tears rolling out of my eyes thinking about how much we've talked about this moment and what it means to actually have it together. We did it," reported E! News. (ANI)
Mint
5 hours ago
- Mint
Alan Tudyk says he was cut from 'I, Robot' publicity after outshining Will Smith: 'I was so shocked'
Actor Alan Tudyk has revealed he was removed from the publicity campaign for the 2004 sci-fi film 'I, Robot' after test screening audiences responded more strongly to his character than to star Will Smith. Speaking on the Toon'd In with Jim Cummings podcast, Tudyk shared that early audience feedback showed his character, Sonny the robot, scored higher in popularity than Smith's lead role. Tudyk, who gave a full performance using motion capture and voice acting for the robot, said he was 'very upset' when he learned he would not be included in the film's marketing. 'A lot of people did not know I did Sonny the Robot in 'I, Robot', and there is a reason,' Tudyk explained. 'I got word back: 'Alan, you are testing higher than Will Smith.' And then I was gone. I was done. There was no publicity, and my name was not mentioned.' Tudyk added, 'I put a lot into that performance. I had to move like a robot. At the time, I was very upset.' Directed by Alex Proyas, I, Robot is set in 2035 and stars Will Smith as a detective investigating the suspicious death of a robotics company founder. The story centres around Sonny, a highly advanced robot voiced and performed by Tudyk, who becomes a key figure in the mystery. The film also features Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, James Cromwell, and Chi McBride. While I, Robot was a commercial success, Tudyk's role remained largely unrecognised by the wider public.
News18
6 hours ago
- News18
Country singer Ella Langley cancels concerts with Morgan Wallen, here is why
Washington DC [US], August 13 (ANI): Singer-songwriter Ella Langley, who has been opening for Morgan Wallen on his I'm the Problem Tour, announced she was 'sad" to be canceling the rest of her August performances to focus on her health, reported E! News.'The past several weeks have been tough," Ella wrote in a statement shared to Instagram, adding, 'I've been fighting sickness and feeling more run down than ever. After a lot of thought, I've made the hard decision to take a couple of weeks to rest and focus on my health–mind, body, and heart." She added, 'I want to be fully present for all the moments ahead, and I know I can't do that without first taking care of myself."The singer further informed her fans that she is 'ready to give you my all" when she returns to the stage in September.'Sometimes we have to listen when our bodies and hearts are telling us to slow down," Ella continued. 'I'm so grateful for your understanding and your love–it truly means the world to me," reported E! wasn't the first time the musician–who is nominated for the 2025 MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist alongside Alex Warren, Lola Young, The Marias, Gigi Perez and Sombr–has been vulnerable with her audiences. In fact, she celebrated with her fans and her co-writer Joybeth Taylor last month when her song 'Weren't for the Wind" hit No. 1 on country radio, reported E! News.'Theres no telling how many hours me and @joybethtaylor have put into having this moment together," Ella wrote in a July 6 Instagram post. 'Since that day on my back porch (the day we wrote our first song) we've dreamt about getting a #1 together. Sure, there have been many days that it seemed pretty much impossible, but we always believed."She added, 'Sitting a on plane flying back to Nashville with tears rolling out of my eyes thinking about how much we've talked about this moment and what it means to actually have it together. We did it," reported E! News. (ANI)
