Disney is resurrecting more dead actors in films

Disney may be sued over the digital replica of Peter Cushing they created to revive his role as Grand Moff Tarkin in ‘Rogue One’ in 2016, years after his death.

A few months ago, producer Kevin Francis, son of British fantasy film director Freddie Francis and a close friend of Cushing, stated that the actor had stated that he did not want his physical appearance to be digitally replicated without his consent before his 1994 death.

Disney used footage Cushing recorded for ” Episode IV.” 22 years after his death. Tyburn Films, Francis’ production company, will sue Disney, Lucasfilm, the deceased executors of Cushing’s estate, and the agency that represented him until his death, which gave away his image rights.

Disney said it did not need permission because it had already settled with the actor’s agent for $36,000. Francis wants $650,000+ in damages. The suit will be heard in UK courts if successful.

The lawsuit is unlikely to succeed (although the trial could happen) because the actor has not signed any documents opposing digital recreations, only the producer’s word. Digital recreations of deceased actors are becoming a contentious issue. ‘Star Wars’ Carrie Fisher was digitally cloned in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ a few months after her death (although there may be a signed contract).

The unexpected appearance of a digital replica of Ian Holm, the android Ash from the first ‘Alien’ in ‘Alien: Romulus’ has prompted recent comments. The actor died in 2020, but Disney brought him back in the latest xenomorph film. As technology advances, Harold Ramis in ‘Ghostbusters’, Paul Walker in ‘Fast & Furious’, and Christopher Reeve in ‘Flash’ are examples.

On August 31, SAG-AFTRA, which was behind the Hollywood strikes a few months earlier, passed a new bill in California, which could change this. If approved, AI-managed replicas of actors and actresses will need the consent of their heirs for new film appearances. One of the union’s mainstays is irresponsible AI use.

Disney is being sued for using a digital Peter Cushing in Rogue One. After years of death, the studio used a digital version of the actor to play Grand Moff Tarkin. Cushing’s friend, producer Kevin Francis, claimed that the actor had said he didn’t want his likeness digitally recreated without his permission before his 1994 death.

Disney used Cushing from Episode IV, shot 22 years before Rogue One. Francis’ production company, Tyburn Films, is suing Disney, Lucasfilm, Cushing’s executors, and his former agency for using his likeness.

Disney claims that it had an agreement with Cushing’s agent for $36,000 and did not need further permission. Francis wants more than $650,000 in damages. If successful, the lawsuit will be heard in UK courts.

No actor-signed documents opposing digital recreations exist, only his producer friend’s word. The lawsuit is unlikely to succeed. However, digital recreations of deceased actors are becoming more controversial. Star Wars has other cases besides Cushing’s. In The Rise of Skywalker, Carrie Fisher was digitally cloned months after her death, possibly due to her contract limitations.

In 2024’s Alien: Romulus, a digital replica of Ian Holm, who played Ash in the first Alien film, surprised viewers. Disney revived Holm in the latest film despite his 2020 death. This practice is spreading as technology advances. Also, Harold Ramis in the latest Ghostbusters, Paul Walker in Fast & Furious, and Christopher Reeve in The Flash.

Disney is resurrecting more dead actors in films

Disney may be sued over the digital replica of Peter Cushing they created to revive his role as Grand Moff Tarkin in ‘Rogue One’ in 2016, years after his death.

By ki0nk

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