I just found out that the director for I, Robot “didn’t respond to any” of the tapes he saw, including mine.
In the mysterious Hollywood lexicon, this can mean a number of things, but it usually comes down to one of the following:
- My interpretation of this character and his vision don’t match up.
- I don’t physically look like what he has in his mind.
These are both very valid, and totally understandable reasons . . . but it doesn’t make me feel any less sad. It’s frustrating to hear “the director didn’t respond to you,” because it’s so nebulous. It’s like being told, “You’re not getting this job. Why? Because. Next!” It also has a sort of negative feeling to it, doesn’t it? It doesn’t help that I have heard “the director didn’t respond” without any real elaboration countless times in my career .
I was very happy with my audition. I wouldn’t change a single thing about it. I know that I could have done a great job with this character, and I would have been really good in this movie.
Whle I didn’t sit in my living room for days, not eating and agonizing over getting this part, I was genuinely excited about the opportunities it presented. Working with Will Smith and Alex Proyas, and getting to play a robot would have been awesome.
Thanks for all the support, everyone.
The journey continues . . .
Thier loss honey!!
*HUGS*
We love you and can’t wait till you’re back on the screen!
Hey it’s no consolation but i was at the gym and i plugged in and was watching you on tv while i was doing my thing! you’re an inspiration in many ways!
don’t lose faith, i have faith in you!
love always
Andrea xx
Sorry to hear that Wil. I know you would have been great. Keep the faith. The right part will come for you, you are a terrific actor. Peace and Love,
Phemi
Wil,
Sorry you didn’t get the part. You never know what those people are looking for, but don’t worry your big break will come, just you wait.
best to you and your family……
Ozzman.
I’m glad you didn’t get it. Bad Karma is a bite in the ass. Maybe you should change your self righteous attitude and then you would be considered. Who am I kidding….go get a REAL job and make a REAL contribution to society.
I don’t know. They said he didn’t respond to anyone so maybe he’s just taking an extra long time to make a final decision. If you really want the job, I heard that persistance works, as long as you don’t cross the line into annoyance territory.
Well, damn nabbit… 🙁 🙁
I’m so sorry to hear that Wil. Dang director doesn’t know what he’s missing.
As other’s have said, there’s better stuff on the horizon…can’t wait for the book!! 😉
*lotsa book mojo*
And Fallulah, chill out, will ya?
If you don’t have anything positive to say, don’t post..please.
I need to grow up.
24.244.35.237
Think of it this way, Wil. I, Robot is a classic. People are bound to be pissed when it comes out, claiming it’s not as good as the book or some other purist nonsense. This way, no one can blame you, and you’re open for other opportunities. There have been a lot of great films lately and there will be many more to come. Whose to say a month from now a role won’t come along that will be so great that when you get it, you’ll never again hear about being the “kid from star trek”?
Good things will come.
WIL, MY MAN….IT’S ALL GOOOOOOOD!
THERE WILL BE MORE AUDITIONS. HONESTLY, I DON’T
KNOW HOW YOU CAN STAND THE WHOLE PROCESS. THE WAITING. THE AGONIZING. THE DISAPPOINTMENT. IT’S NUTS. I THINK ‘HOLLYWOOD’ IS LATIN FOR ‘SCREWED’.
AND YOU CAN TAKE THAT ANYWAY YOU LIKE. BECAUSE IT MOST LIKELY APPLIES. DUDE, I KNOW YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT WRITING. SO AM I. SO, STICK WITH THAT FOR NOW. I MEAN, YOU GOT TALENT COMING OUTTA EVERY FRIGGIN OREFICE IN YOUR BODY!! WORK WITH THAT. EMBRACE THAT. IN THE END, YOU WILL BE THE BETTER FOR IT SINCE YOU PUT YOUR HEART INTO AN AREA YOU CAN BE MOST APPRECIATED. AND THEN, HEY! WHO KNOWS! SOME DIRECTOR MAY ACTUALLY FINALLY GET A FRIGGIN’ CLUE!! REMEMBER,
“A WATCHED POT NEVER BOILS.” KEEP THAT POSITIVE ENERGY FLOWING, OKAY? IT’S CONTAGIOUS. 🙂
Been there. I’m only doing community theatre, but still, I’ve been auditioning for 2 years and have yet to be cast in anything. Usually it comes down to the same thing: don’t look right, don’t sound right, wrong body type. Most frustrating was the one time it looked like I was going to be cast, I had to drop out at the last minute when I realized I had to perform a wedding closing weekend.
True, the major difference here is that it’s a hobby for me and a living for you. Still, I can empathize, a bit. Best o’luck on the next one. Any word on John Doe? or did I miss that one already?
I’m so sorry to hear that but you’ll get other parts because you’re great and we’re all behind you. I’m looking forward to seeing you in the movie on PAX this weekend too.
I know just how you feel.
Earlier this month, I had an interview with Amazon.com. As a web programmer with an e-commerce background, this was definitely something I was excited about. I went in, felt like I nailed the interview, and was about as confident as I was willing to let myself be.
They called back, and I think the line was “We’ve decided not to pursue this opportunity.”
Now, I realize it’s foolish to tell someone why they weren’t hired, because you can be sued. But it puts the mind in a dangerous place. What did I do wrong? Was it what I wore? Were my references bad? Did they just not like me? Was I too expensive? Ultimately, I’ll never know, and it’s just self-destructive to dwell on, but pretty hard not to, at least for a while.
Sounds like a lot of the same inner monologue.
The postscript, for me, is that I took a few days off of job searching to feel bummed out, then got back in the saddle and just got a good offer from another company yesterday. So, it all worked out.
There’s certainly a renaissance in Geek Cinema these days, what with Harry Potter, LOTR, and comic-based movies tearing up the box office (and QUALITY movies, too.) It’s a good time to be an actor, in terms of fun projects existing. Best of luck in landing in something cool.
Not much to say, is there? Especially since so much has already been said by the 60+ comments before mine.
I’m sorry you won’t have the opportunity this round to work with some folks you respect and on a project you would like.
The journey never ends… let’s enjoy the ride.
Take care,
~Janece
Next time, Wil. Hope you feel better.
I say talk to your agent and see what feedback you can get outside of what you got the first time and try again. Campaign for that part! Fight to the death for it. Don’t give up too easily is all I’m saying.
Well, fuck. I really think that’s all that needs to be said.
Brad
Wow Wil.
Your method for dealing with this, as well as your honesty, is an inspiration to us all.
Well me at any rate *hugs WWDN mug and T-shirt*
To the Future! Away!!
Boo-uns, hon 🙁
I know I’m going to be like the bazillionth person to say, “Don’t give up, Wil!” But yeah! Seriously. You’re wicked (or “hella” as you West Coasters insist on saying ;)) talented and definitely passionate about your work.
Someone I work with says that you need two things in your life to really succeed: Passion and Truth. I think you’ve got those down.
Hang in there!
YES, you would’ve been great.
There is something better around the corner.. There always is..
JT
all this means is you will be COMPLETELY available for that NEXT BIG thing on horizon, rather than busy making this movie.
::mojo, mojo, mojo::
That sucks man. Oh well, you’ll get them next time. 🙂
gee wil, I must say I was hoping you’d get this part so I could see you now that you are a man. I have to be honest and say I have not seen any of your work since tng. ever since I stumbled into this site a little while ago it has become appearant to me that you are not just some stupid self indulgent moviestar. I still hope that you make 1 million dollars. and fallulah, how dumb are you? bieng cold is being cold. it’s a shame that you did not crack your scull on the sidewalk when you had that “adventurous slide”
Sorry that you didn’t get a call back. However, I have faith that there will be a bigger and better acting role for you.
*supportive HUGS*
Bummer, Wil. At least you enjoyed the audition. Guess I’ll put my Asimov books back on the shelf. I’m glad you have such a healthy attitude about it.
I’m looking forward to the movie on PAX this Friday. And I’m waiting for your book. Hey, what ever happened to that NPR interview you gave? Did I miss it?
Wil,
that bites you didn’t get the part. but hey, this guy OBVIOUSLY doesn’t know what he’s thinking. well, it happens to everyone. why just today i found out that i didn’t get a spot in a local theatre troupe that i’ve done MANY things with in the past…just because of my age. grrrr.
well cheer up, it can only get better from here. 🙂
My condolences Wil, I really thought you were gonna get that part.
Thanks for droppin me a line today. 🙂
That Blows.
Looks like our mojo doesn’t work too well. Sorry, Wil.
Theres always the Ross show hahaha
That sucks. Well, this is pissing me off. You deserve better then this. I’m afraid I’m going to have to write a script tailored just for you and direct it myself. If it’s the last thing I do on this earth, I’m going to win you an Oscar. ::::sharpening my pencils::::
Oh well,
Sucks, but what can you do?
That’s entertainment.
On to the next.
But Alex Proyas, man! It would have been cool!
Wil,
Don’t know how much of the comments you read, but you never know 😉
I’m sure you know more than I do that people get looked off for *tons* of reasons, some of which relate to talent, and the rest….don’t. You only get picked, though, when someone likes you (or, I suppose, you have a friend, who has a friend–but that’s the same thing, sorta–just a bastardization of the idea).
So, crazy Hollywood–your performance may very well not matter. Such is life. I do know that it doesn’t affect you as badly as it used to. Of course you’ll always be emotionally involved; there’ll always be a bit of that, as you’ve invested a bit of yourself into each performance.
I would have certainly liked to see you in the role, FWIW. If casting directors thought there were enough of us, that would be the trick, eh?
-Rich, who is watching Schoolhouse Rock. 🙂
Wil:
Well, the unfortunate thing is that the final decision is all the director’s. And there are an awful lot of directors that are egocentric, mean, arrogant and just downright strange! But those things are part of the reason why they’re directors and why they are or aren’t good. We all know that you’re good, Wil. If not this film, then another one will fall into your lap!
Scott
🙂
Wil:
Well, the unfortunate thing is that the final decision is all the director’s. And there are an awful lot of directors that are egocentric, mean, arrogant and just downright strange! But those things are part of the reason why they’re directors and why they are or aren’t good. We all know that you’re good, Wil. If not this film, then another one will fall into your lap!
Scott
🙂
Wil:
Well, the unfortunate thing is that the final decision is all the director’s. And there are an awful lot of directors that are egocentric, mean, arrogant and just downright strange! But those things are part of the reason why they’re directors and why they are or aren’t good. We all know that you’re good, Wil. If not this film, then another one will fall into your lap!
Scott
🙂
Now that is just fucked up! I was *so* looking forward to seeing you on the big screen and they totally screwed it up! And now I have to be all mad at the director and be dissappointed!!
And Fallullah… didn’t you say you wanted to go some place else? Sooo… why don’t you just go do that and spare us?
Wil,
Maybe it would be easier not to write about a part until the project is in the can. I would
keep it hush hush until after the premier. It is so hard to know what is going to happen in the film world. In some ways its like the sports world.
FG
In blatant repetition of most of the 80+ previous comments, I’m sorry it didn’t work out. But fear not…there will be more occasions for ‘schoolgirl squeals’ in the future, I’m sure of it.
Wil,
I agree with everyone else who has already told you we think that sucks. I don’t know if that means there is something bigger and better in the future or that one of us need to become a director so we can cast you 😉
Been There, Done That, More to come….. isn`t life grand?
Am I the only person who thought….
Wil Smith in I,ROBOT?
WHAT THE HELL?!
Who made that choice?!
That>>> guy is the one who should have got a call from his agent saying “didnt respond to any”
Oh,well….Better *MOJO* next time Wil!
My I-can-relate-because-it-happened-to-me-sorta story:
Last summer, I interviewed for a job near the end of June. I’d kinda blown an interview about a month earlier, and really prepared for this one, and felt really, really good about my performance. I was further pleased and encouraged when I heard from my references that they were being contacted, something that prospective employers usually do only if they’re really thinking about hiring you. And I waited to hear from them… and waited… and started thinking about calling up my references to see if I could figure out if one of them had put me in a bad light… and finally, weeks later, found out that my job had basically ceased to exist. See, it was for an academic position at a state university, and at the beginning of the fiscal year, they had to cut their budget–and the unfilled positions got the axe. Kinda like getting laid off before being hired; the letter implied that I would have been offered the position if it still existed.
Which, of course, isn’t the same thing as hearing that “the director didn’t respond to you”; point being that you and I both know that we did our best and that we could do the job, given half a chance. And, that in the end, persistence matters.
:\
Damn.
It would be funny if Fred Savage gets the part
It’s my first time writing here.
I visit the site very often and I really wanted that you were chosen for the part. I think you are a very good actor and in my opinion underrated. Take care.
WOW Wil you really have me surprised!
Your way of thinking has really been changing for the better from the state of mind you were last year; turning 30 has really made you grow as a person.
Keep it up!! You got 50,000 monkeys behind your back cheering for you.
That Hollywood thing about child actors not being able to make a transition to adult actors is a myth, if you were talented at 13 years old I don’t believe you loose your talent as you grow up.
You’re in a business where those who wield the power seem to reserve the right to be capricious as a matter of style. It doesn’t always come down to ability and what’s right. I’m not sure I’d be tough enough to survive that. Who knows – maybe he thought “hmmm, if they see Wheaton, they’ll think Star Trek, and then they’ll be sitting there comparing the robot to Data”, and I can imagine that to create something new they want to get as far as possible from Data, which has been done so well and exhaustively. Who knows?! Anyway, good luck.
hey… well just wanted to add my disappointment to that expressed by those who have already written.
But it’s not important whether or not you get the part… what’s important is how you react to it. And you get top marks for that, man!