Alan Tudyk Reveals He Was Cut From ‘I, Robot’ Marketing After Outscoring Will Smith in Test Screenings

In a surprising revelation, Alan Tudyk has shared that his role in the 2004 sci-fi blockbuster I, Robot was almost invisible to the public — not because of his performance, but because of studio marketing decisions. Speaking on the “Toon’d In with Jim Cummings” podcast, the actor claimed he was removed from the film’s publicity campaign after internal test screenings showed his robot character, Sonny, scored higher with audiences than the film’s star, Will Smith.

The movie, directed by Alex Proyas, was set in the year 2035 and followed Smith as a Chicago detective investigating the mysterious death of a robotics company founder. Tudyk portrayed Sonny using motion capture and voice acting — a performance he says required intense physical and vocal preparation. Despite the central role Sonny played in the film’s narrative, Tudyk revealed that the decision to sideline him from promotion meant many viewers never realized he was the one behind the robot’s face and voice.

Why Alan Tudyk’s ‘I, Robot’ Experience Still Resonates in Hollywood

According to Tudyk, the situation unfolded after studio executives reviewed audience feedback from early screenings. “They score the characters in this kind of test screening,” he explained. “I got word back: ‘Alan, you are testing higher than Will Smith.’ And then I was gone. There was no publicity, and my name was not mentioned.”

This decision highlights a long-standing issue in Hollywood: the balancing act between star-driven marketing and recognizing supporting or non-human characters. In 2004, motion capture technology was still in its early stages of public awareness — notable examples like Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars and Gollum in The Lord of the Rings were only beginning to change how audiences perceived digital characters.

For Tudyk, it was a frustrating blow. “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.”

The Rise of Alan Tudyk as a Motion Capture Star

Despite the setback, Tudyk went on to become one of Hollywood’s most celebrated motion capture and voice actors. His credits now include the fan-favorite droid K-2SO in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and multiple animated characters in Disney films. He even reprised K-2SO for the Disney+ series Andor.

His experience with I, Robot is a reminder of how quickly the entertainment industry evolves. Today, studios frequently promote their motion capture performers, with actors like Andy Serkis becoming household names. However, Tudyk’s story shows that even a standout performance can be overshadowed by marketing strategies focused on top-billed stars.

What’s Next for Alan Tudyk

Alan Tudyk continues to lend his voice and physical performances to major projects, and his fan base has only grown over the years. His candid reflection on I, Robot is sparking new conversations about credit, recognition, and transparency in Hollywood. For film enthusiasts, it’s also a fascinating “what if” — had audiences known the man behind Sonny at the time, Tudyk’s career trajectory might have shifted even earlier.

Alan Tudyk’s journey from being left out of I, Robot promotions to becoming one of the most recognized voices and motion capture talents in Hollywood underscores his resilience, adaptability, and lasting impact on the industry.

You Must Know:

Did Alan Tudyk play Sonny in I, Robot?
Yes. Alan Tudyk performed Sonny’s voice and motion capture in I, Robot, but his involvement was not heavily publicized.

Why was Alan Tudyk cut from I, Robot marketing?
According to Tudyk, studio test screenings revealed his character scored higher than Will Smith’s, leading to his removal from promotional campaigns.

What motion capture roles has Alan Tudyk played?
He’s best known for Sonny in I, Robot, K-2SO in Rogue One, and numerous animated Disney characters.

Was I, Robot one of the first major motion capture films?
While not the first, it was among the early mainstream films to use advanced motion capture for a central character, following in the footsteps of The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.

Has Alan Tudyk spoken about this before?
This is one of the first times Tudyk has publicly discussed the I, Robot marketing decision in detail.