Alan Tudyk Reveals Shocking Story of Being Dropped from ‘I, Robot’ Promotions After Outshining Will Smith in Test Screenings: ‘I Was Very Upset’

Alan Tudyk recently shared a surprising story on the “Toon’d In with Jim Cummings” podcast about his experience with the film “I, Robot.” He voiced the robot Sonny, but after test screenings, he claims he was cut from the marketing campaign because his character scored higher than Will Smith with audiences.

“Many people don’t know I played Sonny,” Tudyk said. “I learned I was testing better than Will Smith, and then I was suddenly out of the promotion.” He felt shocked and frustrated because he had invested a lot into his role, including mastering robotic movements.

“I just thought, ‘Wait, what about my contribution?'” Tudyk added. The strange decision left him feeling overlooked and disheartened.

“I, Robot,” directed by Alex Proyas, was released in 2004 and starred Will Smith as a detective in a future Chicago where robots assist with public services. When a founder of a robotics company dies, Smith’s character suspects one of the robots, voiced by Tudyk, is involved. The film also features Bridget Moynahan and Bruce Greenwood.

At that time, motion capture was still a novel technology in Hollywood. Although characters like Gollum from “The Lord of the Rings” had used it, Tudyk’s performance as Sonny helped pave the way for future roles, including K-2SO in “Rogue One.”

According to a recent report by the Motion Picture Association, around 60% of films now use some form of motion capture technology, indicating its growing importance in storytelling. This technique allows actors to bring animated characters to life, bridging the gap between live-action and animation.

While Tudyk’s experience highlights an unusual aspect of film marketing, it also sparks conversation about the importance of recognizing all contributors in a movie. As fans and industry professionals reflect on this, social media platforms buzz with discussions on how performance should be acknowledged, regardless of marketing decisions.

You can catch Tudyk’s full interview on the “Toon’d In with Jim Cummings” podcast here.

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Alan Tudyk,Will Smith