Alan Tudyk shared on the Toon’d In with Jim Cummings podcast that he was excluded from promotional material for the 2004 film I, Robot after test audiences responded more positively to his character than to Will Smith’s. Tudyk played the robot Sonny using motion capture and voice acting, but when screenings showed he tested better than Smith, the studio removed him from publicity, leaving many unaware of his involvement in the movie.
Details of Tudyk’s Experience and His Reaction to Being Cut
Tudyk explained the situation during the podcast, stating,
“A lot of people did not know I did Sonny the Robot in ‘I, Robot,’ and there is a reason,”
and further elaborated,
“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. There was no publicity, and my name was not mentioned.”
He described his surprise and frustration about the decision, saying,
“I was so shocked, I was like, ‘Wait, nobody is going to know I’m in it!’ I put a lot into [that performance]. I had to move like a robot. At the time, I was very upset.”
This reaction illustrates the impact the removal had on him personally and professionally.
Context and Background on ‘I, Robot’ and Motion Capture Technology
The film, directed by Alex Proyas, features Will Smith as a Chicago police detective in the year 2035, investigating the suspicious death of a robotics company founder. The corporation’s robots perform public service roles, but Smith’s character suspects that Sonny, Tudyk’s robot persona, may have been involved in the murder.
Besides Smith, the supporting cast includes Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, James Cromwell, and Chi McBride. During the early 2000s, motion capture was still an emerging technology in Hollywood; Tudyk’s work as Sonny was notable for combining both voice performance and physical motion to bring the character to life.
Tudyk later utilized motion capture for his portrayal of the droid K-2SO in the Star Wars film Rogue One and reprised that role in the Disney+ series Andor, building on his experience with this performance style.
Potential Implications and Next Steps
Tudyk’s revelations about the marketing decisions behind I, Robot highlight the complex dynamics between actors’ performances, audience reception, and studio marketing strategies. This controversy brings attention to how test screening outcomes can affect a film‘s promotional focus and the recognition performers receive for their work.
Variety has reached out to Will Smith’s representatives for a response, signaling ongoing interest in this issue as fans and industry watchers consider the fairness and transparency of behind-the-scenes decisions in major Hollywood productions.
