You know that feeling when you're watching a movie and one specific character just vibrates with a different energy than everyone else? That’s Alan Tudyk in A Knight’s Tale. Honestly, if you haven’t revisited this 2001 classic recently, you’re missing out on a masterclass in "the sidekick who steals the show."
Tudyk plays Wat, the red-haired, high-strung, perpetually angry squire to Heath Ledger’s William Thatcher. While the movie is ostensibly about William "changing his stars" and jousting his way into nobility, Wat is the emotional—and often physical—lightning rod of the group. He isn't just a supporting character; he's the guy who would genuinely bite a horse if it looked at him wrong.
The Prague Bonding Sessions
Most people don't realize how much of the chemistry in Alan Tudyk A Knight's Tale performances came from the fact that the cast was basically stuck in Prague with nothing to do.
Before filming even started, Tudyk and Mark Addy (who played Roland) were sent to the Czech Republic weeks early. The studio thought they needed intensive training to work with horses. As it turns out? They didn't. They learned what they needed in about an afternoon.
So, what do you do when you're a young actor in Prague with a per diem and no schedule? You drink. Tudyk has joked in interviews about how he, Addy, and Ledger spent those weeks bar-hopping and getting lost in circuitous cobblestone streets. That "lifelong friend" vibe you see on screen isn't just good acting—it's the result of three weeks of Pilsner and late-night wandering. It gave Wat a specific, lived-in frustration with his friends that feels incredibly real.
Why Wat is More Than a Punchline
Wat is the "anger" of the group. If Roland is the heart and William is the soul, Wat is the adrenal gland.
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He’s the one who is constantly hungry, constantly broke, and constantly threatened by the sheer stupidity of William’s plan to impersonate a knight. But watch Alan Tudyk closely in the scenes where they’re actually training. He isn’t just playing "angry guy." He’s playing a man who has been a servant his whole life and finally sees a sliver of a chance to eat a decent meal.
There’s a desperation in Wat that Tudyk hides under layers of physical comedy. When he threatens to "eviscerate" people or "fontanelle" them (a word choice that is both hilarious and terrifying), he delivers it with a conviction that makes you think he might actually do it.
The Improv and the "Accidents"
One of the best things about Alan Tudyk A Knight's Tale is how much of the performance feels spontaneous. While director Brian Helgeland wrote a tight script, he gave the guys room to breathe.
Take the scene where Paul Bettany (playing a very naked Geoffrey Chaucer) first encounters the group on the road. The reactions from Tudyk and Addy—the sheer "what is this guy doing?" energy—were bolstered by the fact that Bettany was actually, fully naked on set. There was no "modesty sock" that stayed in place.
Also, look at the crowd reactions. A famous bit of trivia involves the extras in the Czech Republic not speaking English. When Chaucer gives his big introductory speeches, the silence from the crowd wasn't scripted—the extras just didn't know they were supposed to cheer. Mark Addy's Roland eventually had to start the cheer himself to get the crowd going. Tudyk’s reactions during these "failed" speeches are gold; he plays the awkwardness with a twitchy, nervous energy that perfectly fits Wat’s "we’re definitely going to get executed" worldview.
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The Physicality of the Role
Tudyk is a Juilliard-trained actor, which usually brings to mind Shakespeare or high drama. But he used every bit of that training for the physical comedy in this film.
Wat’s fighting style isn't graceful. It’s scrappy. It’s "I will hit you with this rock because I don't have a sword." In the dance rehearsal scenes, where the group is trying to teach William how to move like a nobleman, Tudyk’s rhythm—or lack thereof—is a subtle highlight. He moves like a man who has spent his life hauling heavy gear and sleeping on the ground.
What Most People Get Wrong About Wat
A lot of fans remember Wat as the "funny one," but he's actually the most loyal character in the movie.
Think about the stakes. In the 14th century, what they were doing was a capital crime. If William got caught, Wat and Roland were going to the gallows right along with him. While Roland stays because of a paternal sort of love for William, Wat stays despite being absolutely terrified of the consequences.
That makes his eventual acceptance of the "Sir Ulrich" ruse much more powerful. When he finally gets to wear a decent tunic and eat at a banquet, the look on Tudyk's face isn't just joy—it's relief.
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Why A Knight's Tale Still Holds Up
It’s been over twenty years. We’ve lost Heath Ledger. Paul Bettany is an Avenger. Mark Addy went on to be a King in Game of Thrones. And Alan Tudyk? He became the king of voice acting and cult sci-fi.
But Alan Tudyk A Knight's Tale remains a foundational performance for him. You can see the seeds of his later roles—the dry wit of K-2SO in Rogue One, the frantic energy of Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, even the eccentricities of Resident Alien.
The movie works because it doesn't try to be a "historical document." It’s a sports movie dressed in armor. It uses Queen and David Bowie because that’s how jousting felt to the people watching it—it was rock and roll. And Wat is the ultimate fan-turned-roadie.
How to Appreciate the Performance Today
If you’re going to rewatch it (and you should), do these three things:
- Watch the Background: In group scenes, don't just look at Heath Ledger. Watch Wat. Tudyk is always "on," reacting to the smallest things with a grimace or a subtle eye roll.
- Listen to the Threat Delivery: Pay attention to how he says "I'll bet I can." It’s never a joke to him. Wat is 100% serious at all times, which is why it’s so funny to us.
- Check the "Golden Years" Scene: When they’re dancing, watch how Wat slowly starts to enjoy himself. It’s a tiny character arc told entirely through movement.
To really get the full experience, track down the director's commentary or the "Making Of" featurettes from the original DVD. Hearing Tudyk talk about the sheer absurdity of the production—like the time they had to deal with a language barrier while trying to choreograph a medieval riot—adds a whole new layer to his performance. Wat wasn't just a character; he was the personification of the chaotic, beautiful mess that was the A Knight's Tale set.
Don't just take my word for it. Fire up your favorite streaming service, skip to the first jousting scene, and wait for the red-haired guy to start screaming. You'll see exactly why Wat is the heart of the movie.
Once you've done that, go back and look at his newer work. You’ll realize that the "Wat energy" has never really left him; he just found new ways to channel that beautiful, frantic rage into some of the best characters in modern cinema.