Alan Tudyk, the voice actor behind King Candy in Wreck-It Ralph (2012), recently revealed that Disney decided to cut a “race riot” bit from the movie, despite support from the film’s director and story co-creator. Here’s what we know.
Earlier this year, Tudyk appeared on the “Toon’d In! with Jim Cummings” podcast, hosted by the legendary voice actor behind characters like Winnie the Pooh and Ray from The Princess and the Frog (2009). Tudyk, a voice acting icon in his own right, is known for lending his talent to films like Encanto (2021), Wish (2023), Frozen (2013), and Big Hero 6 (2014).
In a clip shared on Instagram, Tudyk recalled how he improvised the line during a chase scene in Wreck-It Ralph, when Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) crashes into “Sugar Rush” and gets covered in sticky taffy and sprinkles. Tudyk’s character, King Candy, attempts to calm the chaos as Ralph chases Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) for stealing his medal:
“I said, ‘Please, everybody, stop! Everybody, calm down. I don’t want a race riot on my hands! …Because it’s a race… and you’re rioting. Never mind.’”
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While director Rich Moore reportedly “loved the race riot joke,” it did not sit well with The Walt Disney Company executives. Tudyk explained that the company was adamant about removing it, stating, “Disney didn’t want a race riot joke.” They apparently kept the line for an advanced Wreck-It Ralph screening in Arizona, but removed it before the final cut.
“That’s hard to believe,” Cummings said sarcastically. “Are you sure this was Disney?”
Watch the final chase scene from Wreck-It Ralph, without Tudyk’s “race riot” ad-lib, here:
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