Peter Cushing, Carrie Fisher, Harold Ramis and Ian Holm are some of the digitalized figures. The SAG-AFTRA union managed to push through a bill in California that seeks to regulate the use of artificial intelligence.
Disney is being sued for digital use of the late actor Peter Cushing in the film Rogue One from 2016where the character of Grand Moff Tarkin It was recreated virtuallyCushing, who died in 1994, He had not authorized the reproduction of his image by digital means during his lifetimeaccording to statements by producer Kevin Francis, son of director Freddie Francis and a close friend of the actor.
Tyburn Films’ position and image rights
Tyburn Films, the production company run by Francis, is preparing a lawsuit that will affect not only Disney but also Lucasfilm, the executors of Cushing’s estate who have since died and the agency that represented the actor until his death. According to Francis, the agency allowed the transfer of image rights without the proper consent of the actor.
For its part, Disney has noted that I did not need to obtain an additional permitsince, at the time, a decision was reached agreement with Cushing’s agent for the sum of $36,000 to cover the use of his imageHowever, Francis claims a compensation exceeding $650,000 for the damages causedand if the lawsuit goes ahead, the case will be resolved in the UK courts.
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Little chance of success
Despite the attention this case has generated, The possibility of the lawsuit being successful appears remote. One of the factors that could prevent its success is the lack of documentary evidence that confirm Cushing’s willingness to avoid such reenactments. For now, the only evidence available is Francis’ testimony. However, The debate surrounding the use of digital recreations of deceased actors continues to gain relevance in the film industry.
Background of digital recreations
The topic has been especially controversial in the franchise Star Warswhere another notable case was the Carrie Fisher’s digital appearance in The Rise of Skywalkerafter his death. Unlike Cushing, it is believed that in Fisher’s case There was a formal contract that allowed such recreation. Also, a digital replica of the actor Ian Holmwho played the android Ash in Alien, He also appeared in the most recent installment of the saga, Alien: Romulus, despite his death in 2020.
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The future of digital recreations
This increasing use of technology to bring back deceased actors has raised concerns within the film industry. In fact, the SAG-AFTRA union, which was behind the recent strikes in Hollywood, has managed to push through a proposed law in California that, if passed, would require consent from actors’ heirs for future digital recreations. This regulation seeks Regulate the use of artificial intelligencea topic that has been the focus of debate in the industry.
Source: Ambito
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