Not I, Robot?

Posted on By Wil

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 . . .

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Comments (189)

  1. Well, at least you don’t get humiliated like those talentless saps on American Idol!
    But seriously, that sucks. We were rooting for ya!
    Learn from the past, look to the future!
    Sauja

  2. Well, that just sucks. Would, or I should say, will be cool to see HMIC on a high-budget movie.
    Of course, it’s funny how many auditions you are getting lately for “not being in the acting game” per se… Maybe if you ignored it completely, you’ll get the part of your life?

  3. ‘sokay, wil. *hugs*
    this just means that you will be free to take on something bigger and better… everything happens for a reason. love to you and your fam.
    ^_^

  5. Maybe it would have interfered with something you want even more…which can now happen unimpeded.
    Other than that it kinda sucks. Sorry to hear it.

  7. It’s good to know that all actor frustrations are the same. Your humanity and openness about everything has been invaluable to me. I’m sorry about I, Robot but ultimately it just means it wasn’t meant to be and there’s something better on the other side of this.
    /serious

  10. Ouch; that sucks. Vague and nebulous reasons for being rejected are always the most frustrating — sort of like the totally uninformative rejection letters many editors give, or the company that just never calls you back after your job interview.

    Here’s hoping the next one goes better. 🙂

  11. Sorry to hear you didn’t get the part, Wil. I know it doesn’t help to hear this, but we were all hoping along with you the last few days. Go hug your wife, play ball with the kids and walk the dog. Your time is coming!

  16. Good. Now finish the damn book. 😛
    (Seriously, sorry about the disappointment. Just remember: it only means there’s something better waiting to happen that you wouldn’t be able to get if you’d gotten this. Robot, Schmobot!)

  17. Wil,
    Sorry, bro…keep the faith, as it were. Your time is coming, I can feel it. Hang in there and maintain the positive attitude!
    Laters,

  19. Hey, Wil,
    I wish someone would give you a chance to prove yourself…I would much rather watch you in a cool movie role instead of these singers-turned-actors or that Vin Diesel schmuck. The robot role would be great for you!
    Anyway, hopefully we can get going on your bowling shirts soon…maybe that will make you feel better…well, a little maybe!

  20. Damn. It woulda been awesome to see you in I, Robot. It would have been particularly nice to see you in a movie with Will Smith -2 of my favorites in one movie.
    Good luck with the book, though, I am looking forward to reading it.
    By the way, whats up with the PAX movie? Has it already aired? Did I miss it?

  21. That sucks. Sorry you didnt get the part Wil. Maybe you could try for a part in the new film version of “Bringing Down the House”. Think of all the gambling fun you would have. Mmmm… gambling.

  22. Sorry it didn’t work out. Sounds like plenty of people have an interest in your work though, so maybe the biggie’s just around the corner.

  23. Looking forward to seeing Wil on TV this weekend!
    PAX TV Friday Night Flix: Book of Days
    Friday, January 31st 8/7pm

  24. I know the feeling: I’m still waiting to hear some kind of response from a job interview I went to 3 years ago. I’m assuming they don’t want me, but it would have been nice to have some feedback.
    Don’t worry – when The Book comes out you’ll make millions. 🙂

  25. Well, at least you’ll have plenty of time to go out and enjoy the wonderful weather we’ve been having lately in Southern California. 😉

  27. Wil, I think you could make a kick-ass robot. I mean you are a great actor and you sat next to Brent all those years, so enough said.

  29. That1s sad! But the TNG is going on a channel…the 4th season and a few days later there will beone of my favourite ep.:Remember me!!!!:))

  30. In my best Krusty voice:
    Awwwwwwww, crap!
    I agree that direct criticism is much easier to take, as you can look upon it as an opportunity to learn. I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t had *much* informative crap ladled my way over the years.
    Oh, well – on to the next thing and more fortunate circumstances.
    Cheers!
    -strange

  33. more and more, your life and writings are reminding me of one of my favourite talents.
    Spaulding Gray
    just like spalding was saying in ‘swimming to cambodia’…
    when he was investing all his time and energy into ‘making’ it in hollywood, he was at his most neurotic and definitely his most unhappiest..
    while waiting for hollywood to make up its ‘so-called mind’ about his work, he started to create his own one man shows (much in the same way you have done with your writing and live stage work)
    when dealing with the big movie mainstream machine, you’ll always, always be dealing with the egos and flights of fancy of others, and believe me, they have their own interests at heart ….not yours..
    so.
    in the meantime..
    continue to create your own opportunites…
    it would seem to me that the work you’ve been creating and indulging in the last two years or so have been not only your most creative, but in many ways the most personally rewarding aswell…
    besides..
    the posse of monkeys is behind you all the way!
    cheers wil
    and don’t worry…
    while it would have been tres cool to be a part of this movie..
    its just as cool to have your book coming out, your appearances on the numerous shows you do,
    your site here…
    etc..
    see…?
    you’ve got a list as long as your arm of things to feel pretty dang good about..
    🙂
    ty

  35. Hi, Wil, sorry to hear it, but I have faith in your acting talent. An analog: I just came back from my third attempt to walk alone in winter across the Vatnajokull ice cap in Iceland. The first time, I was hit by an arctic hurricane. I retreated to a fishing village. The second time, I was blocked by miles of open crevasses, which in winter are normally covered by a blanket of snow that I could ski across, pulling my sled — not that year, though, they were all open. The third time, I got so much snow that I and my experimental shelter (a ‘sled-hut’) were getting buried, and for the first time in 20 years of expeditions, I called for rescue. Bear with me: I have a friend just starting as an actress. You are obviously not just starting, but in the same boat, and I always tell her, remember, it’s a hard world, and you have to not le the bastards get you down. So I encourage her to audition at any chance, get out there and work the problem. I felt discouraged right after the rescue, but remembered my own words, and am now planning my fourth attempt on the ice cap for 2004. Only way to preserve my self-respect. The great thing is that you already have precedent in knowing that you are in fact a good actor. That faith, like mine in my expedition on the ice, or my faith in Amy’s acting talent, is a reservoir that must be kept clean of (unhelpful) critiqe; that’s poison. I say good luck not because you necessarily need luck, but because luck can’t hurt. So, good luck. But, more importantly, filter out the poison, and have faith in your talent. It will work out in the end. Regards from a fan and a lurker on WWDN. Cameron

  37. Have you done any audio performances? Do they have auditions for readers?
    I used to travel a lot by car and would buy tapes or get books on tape from the library or Cracker Barrell restaurants.
    Darren McGavin, for example, does an excellent job of bringing books to life. After listening to him perform “The Bourne Identity” I just can’t see Matt Damon playing the part of Jason Bourne.
    You could audition by reading books to the kids!
    KJ

  38. Shitty choice on the directors part.
    I’m a firm believer in fate – that everything happens for a reason. When your book comes out, maybe you’ll be asked to become a writer. You’ll get offers to turn other works of fiction into a screenplay – and maybe then direct. And when you direct you can also get yourself the lead if you really want it 😉
    Who knows what the future has in store for any of us.
    To paraphrase a fitting saying “you can’t see what sights line the path of your life, you can only see where you’ll step next”

  40. By the way, above I forgot to say, ‘That really sucks’. It really does, and I didn’t mean to preach 🙂 Just my two cents. Cheers, CMS

  41. I am DEFINATELY buying YOUR BOOK!!! Together with fellow Monkeyboxers and such…WE WILL SHOW THE WORLD how COOL and GREAT you ARE!!!!! You are bound to gain more with writing and publishing the book! Never GIVE UP….NEVER SURRENDER!!!

  44. That so truly sucks.
    It doesn’t just suck, it’s sucks and blows – and neither in a particualry sensual or gratifying way! :-p
    I was thinking about the whole ‘look’ thang. I used to be an actor until I slapped myself upside the head with a brick trying to bash sense into myself. Now I’m a writer. Hah – Twilight Zone parallel. But anyway… I was thinking “does Wil look the part?”
    After giving a sh*tload of thought to the character, and staring at your mug, I thought “YES!!! Wil does look the part. He could more than ace this character and bring something special to it!!”
    So you know what? The Director’s vision is dicky. Yep. Scum encrusted dicky. The really sad thing is he’s genuinely missed out on a fine actor who would have only enhanced his production.
    When I read Asimov, you’ll be in my mind, playing the role, and it’s your voice I’ll be hearing.

  45. OH!!
    What is wrong with the rest of the planet anyway?..Why is it that just a select few can see the wisdom and talent in Wil?
    Perhaps you have to belong to a certain ailen race
    eh??
    Sorry Wil..Hang in there.

  46. “Looking forward to seeing Wil on TV this weekend!
    PAX TV Friday Night Flix: Book of Days
    Friday, January 31st 8/7pm”
    Thanks, Kristen!

  48. ugh. sorry to hear about that.
    We’re behind you and like someone earlier said… Things happen for a reason. This could just mean that something bigger is coming your way..

  50. Ouch, that bites. I’m sorry you didn’t get the part, and I certainly understand the frustration of vague replies. If something didn’t succeed, if I’m shut out, if I’m not chosen — I want to know WHY. If it’s something I can work on changing, I want to be able to do that.
    Feh to people who can’t or won’t be anything more than vague.

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