Alan Tudyk has revealed a surprising behind-the-scenes story from the 2004 sci-fi hit I, Robot. 
According to the actor, his name was deliberately kept out of the film’s publicity campaign after his performance as Sonny the robot reportedly scored higher with test audiences than Will Smith’s lead role as Detective Del Spooner.
Speaking on the Toon’d In with Jim Cummings podcast, Tudyk explained that he provided both the voice and motion capture for Sonny, a key character in Alex Proyas’ adaptation inspired by Isaac Asimov’s work. During early test screenings, Sonny’s emotional performance resonated so strongly that audience ratings for the character eclipsed those for Smith’s protagonist. Not long after, Tudyk says his name vanished from marketing materials. “I was shocked,” he recalled. “I’d put so much into the role – even learning to move like a robot – and suddenly, no one would know I was in it.”
While the experience left him upset at the time, Tudyk’s career in sci-fi didn’t slow down. He went on to play fan-favorite droid K-2SO in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and has reprised roles in franchises from Firefly to the DC Universe. Many fans, upon learning the truth, expressed frustration over what they see as an industry move to protect star billing at the expense of acknowledging a standout performance.
Some have even suggested the decision may have been driven by marketing priorities or ego clashes, though Tudyk himself didn’t single out Smith directly. Still, for viewers who found Sonny more compelling than the human lead, the revelation has only deepened their appreciation for Tudyk’s understated yet impactful work.