LucasFilm Sued For Using Peter Cushing’s Likeness in Rogue One

[@frapels]

Let me guess, their defense was that Cushing once had a subscription to Disney Plus 😂

[@killerbee2562]

No it's a seedy other company basically right squatting,

[@gavinpretorius3564]

Maybe missed a payment :/

[@joshuacalkins]

Good one.

[@rbu2136]

What idiot at Disney thought they could steal from a dead man. Ever.

[@chasehedges6775]

RIP Peter Cushing. Charming to the last.

[@grandmufftwerkin9037]

Without Peter, my KZbin persona would not exist.

[@agentsmith2378]

Nice.

[@sgtaveryjohnson3803]

He'd find Kathleen's lack of faith disturbing

[@chasehedges6775]

@@sgtaveryjohnson3803 💯

[@grzegorzbrzeczyszczykiewic8954]

My second favourite Sherlock Holmes after Jeremy Brett.

[@chasehedges6775]

The ghost of Peter Cushing to his ghost imperial army: “You May fire when ready.”

[@obscuramask7435]

Fuzzy slippers and all.

[@chasehedges6775]

Blows my mind he was wearing his pajama slippers on the set of A New Hope. What a legend.

[@SaltpeterTaffy]

Tarkin needed Vader's permission, and he finally got it.

[@througtonsheirs_doctorwhol5914]

this is karma = the parallel reality Dr. Who Cushing played in movies is taking revenger on Disney for destroying Doctor Who's re-reboot! Bravo Dr. Who (Yeah Doctor Who is the show, the doctors of bbc, Dr. Who is specifically Cushing, anyone who is rigorous never calls the BBC doctors Dr. Who, Only Cushing. But 99.9% of poeople even whovians except me care for this. But it counts. It simply counts if you are this precise.

[@marbellaotaiza801]

People in the galactic star cruiser "I have a bad feeling about this"... Kennedy:"as if million voices cried out in pain, and then there was nothing..."

[@Calculon1712]

Moff Tarkin: You may sue when ready!!!

[@tumslucks9781]

Imperial credits! 💰 🏧 🌌

[@marbellaotaiza801]

People in the galactic star cruiser: "I've a bad feeling about this"

[@prussianhill]

My understanding was that Disney had permission from the estate to bring back Peter Cushing. Now the Pandora's box is opened present and future actors know that post-mortum digital likeness is something they need to plan for, and either give or deny permission.

[@walker1984]

It is something they would probably have to put in their will

[@kommandantvhs4994]

The person suing is the executor of Cushing's estate so I'm sure they know if Disney had the rights or not

[@prussianhill]

@kommandantvhs4994 It would create an issue of standing in my mind though; the estate would be the entity that would have the right to assert a claim on behalf of Peter Cushing himself. At least in an American court system that issue would be ripe for a summary judgment.

[@walker1984]

@@prussianhill which is why this needs to go to trial to set a precedent

[@througtonsheirs_doctorwhol5914]

this is karma = the parallel reality Dr. Who Cushing played in movies is taking revenger on Disney for destroying Doctor Who's re-reboot! Bravo Dr. Who (Yeah Doctor Who is the show, the doctors of bbc, Dr. Who is specifically Cushing, anyone who is rigorous never calls the BBC doctors Dr. Who, Only Cushing. But 99.9% of poeople even whovians except me care for this. But it counts. It simply counts if you are this precise.

[@adammoynihan2589]

I really wish we could go back to the old method of simply casting different actors with a vague resemblance to the original for prequels instead of digitally recreating or de-aging drastically with CG

[@TAPSDOC]

They should have casted Wayne Pygram.

[@katemaloney4296]

Ah, Disney . . . We'd recognize your foul stench anywhere.

[@Subninja2012]

Disney: we had a contract from 50 years earlier. We didn’t think we needed to!

[@danielberry4765]

They thought they didn’t need permission because of his contract for the original (different) movie. That is absolutely staggering. I hope Disney get bent over the barrel.

[@XiaoFury]

I agree with you. Digital necromancy is...creepy. it also prevents the growth of new actors and actresses.

[@jimjam51075]

Untalented writers is what is holding the entire film industry back.

[@darylshort2729]

You say that like it's a bad thing though? Do we really need more degenerate lefty millionaires? Look at the Emmys or the Academy Awards: do you want these people to be able to exist?

[@CursedWheelieBin]

@@jimjam51075No. There are creative people out there but their ideas aren’t deemed safe enough by studios whose costs are more enormous now than ever before, especially now after all the Union strikes in Hollywood. Edit: That’s why you’ll now see more AI scripts. It’ll save money. It’s deemed too risky to take a chance on something new. That’s why you’ll sometimes come across a decent TV show or independent movie, but big budget blockbusters are now totally dominated by well known IPs that people recognise. It’s a sorry state of affairs but it’s where we’re at. All the woke crap makes matters even worse. It’s not the source of the issue though. Woke people and social media addicted dummies will virtue signal about a woke film if they’re told it’s “progressive” and celebrates “diversity”. Creative people are now often shunned and shafted because they’re male and/or white, cos apparently that’s how you solve inequality 🤨.

[@halomasta21]

I hate seeing deceased actors being reused in movies like this, contracts be damned. It feels like some genuine dystopian era shit.

[@nealsterling8151]

100% agreed, it's fing creepy. And yes. Sue Disney, they deserve it.

[@Seltkirk-ABC]

and who's gonna sue them LMAO you? Some random Internet strangers trying to sue some multi-billion dollar conglomerate machine

[@nealsterling8151]

@@Seltkirk-ABC Did you watch the Video? 🙄

[@sethaldrich6902]

so you'd rather never see the actors again? I think if it's done properly, with permission, it could be awesome.

[@nealsterling8151]

@@sethaldrich6902 With their personal permission and in knowledge of the movie, maybe. But i wouldn't want to see a "modern" John Wayne Movie for example.

[@BrandonHeat243]

​@@sethaldrich6902Yes, I'd rather not see them again. Like Dave said, if it's Paul Walker situation it makes sense but if corps are putting people into a project they didn't approve to be in it's dystopian af. Real "The corps own you even in death" stuff.

[@Zhtrik]

Turns out like Dr. Frankstein, Peter Cushing came back to life, changed name and is now screwing with Disney.

[@dsmyify]

Frankenstein, blinded by his ideology, was destroyed by his own creation. Frankenstein's ideology was science.

[@Zhtrik]

@@dsmyify Peter Cushing also played Frankenstein…multiple times in fact. That was the reference.

[@docsavage8640]

@dsmyify science is the opposite of ideology

[@Zhtrik]

@@docsavage8640 Did you learn nothing from March 2020?

[@througtonsheirs_doctorwhol5914]

this is karma = the parallel reality Dr. Who Cushing played in movies is taking revenger on Disney for destroying Doctor Who's re-reboot! Bravo Dr. Who (Yeah Doctor Who is the show, the doctors of bbc, Dr. Who is specifically Cushing, anyone who is rigorous never calls the BBC doctors Dr. Who, Only Cushing. But 99.9% of poeople even whovians except me care for this. But it counts. It simply counts if you are this precise.

[@jpgabobo]

Sued? I remember Disneyland fireworks shows every night growing up in the 70's 80's. It was against the local law, and was cheaper for Disney to pay the daily fines of thousands of dollars than to fight the local laws.

[@P.HATHCOX]

That doesn't actually surprise me anymore with Disney 🤦‍♂️

[@joshportie]

Times change. Disney is in trouble, not from this specifically. It's death by a thousand cuts.

[@jhonviel7381]

thats when men ran the business, now its not men running it

[@Garywilliams-mm5lx]

Sue them to the ground

[@sulac4ever170]

Amen.

[@5150show]

😂😂😂

[@Seltkirk-ABC]

and who's gonna sue them LMAO you? Some random Internet strangers trying to sue some multi-billion dollar conglomerate machine

[@sulac4ever170]

@@Seltkirk-ABC Time will tell ... if they continue in their hybris, thinking themselves untouchable / above the law/common sense / unaccountable because they are Disney, more levers will come to light eventually 🤷‍♂️

[@DontThinkso-kb9tc]

Lol. They own the courts.

[@Great_White_Shork]

Disney is getting sued? GOOD!!!

[@Midwinter2]

The decision to use an animated CGI figure for Tarkin was utterly stupid and didn't work - it failed within one second of it appearing on screen. What were they thinking? And even worse: the actor who did the voice and motion capture for Tarkin.... looked perfect for the role! Same stature, very similar face - all they had to do was use that actor with minimal make-up, and he would have been absolutely excellent. A stupid own goal.

[@johnnhoj6749]

Agreed, he's an experienced actor and perfectly capable of playing the role.

[@Anthonydavis65]

They did the same for the guy who did motion cap for Luke in Mando dude looked just like Mark but was like nah let's waste more money and CGI his face on him😂😂

[@Dexter01992]

Obsession with famous names to supposedly make more money. Expect them to do even worse once they start to make large use of AI for these kind of stunts.

[@DavidMartinez-ce3lp]

I agree. It looked off from the moment I saw it

[@SJHFoto]

I really liked the CGI Tarkin, and so did my family (We all are Gen X and older) My parents are Silent, and saw SW in '77 and were impressed with the CGI of Peter Cushing.

[@co.1157]

RIP James Earl Jones

[@chasehedges6775]

A true legend

[@deadturret4049]

Iirc James Earl Jones straight up sold his voice likeness to disney, so his corpse is gonna be puppeted by disney for decades. At the very least, he apparently consented to it so whatever.

[@frankgesuele6298]

But his voice will live on.

[@chasehedges6775]

@@frankgesuele6298 💯

[@smbd1234]

It is totally justified to sue anyone for using dead actors without consent

[@charly03090309]

I dunno. Who owns a dead persons likeness? Not saying Im in favour, but Im not sure descendents can claim ownership either. Probably needs some laws to cover it

[@Seltkirk-ABC]

and who's gonna sue them LMAO you? Some random Internet strangers trying to sue some multi-billion dollar conglomerate machine

[@docsavage8640]

Wow. There are some real ignoramus clowns on here. You can't use someone's image without permission. You need to contact their estate if they're dead. It's quite simple.

[@charly03090309]

@@docsavage8640 Actually the law varies in different countries and states, and being that he died a while ago, it may he difficilt to enforce and Disney may already own his image rights. Ignoramous

[@FP194]

@@docsavage8640 And Disney did get permission from the family This guy is looking for go away money

[@sidensvans67]

The Studio should have sought permission from Family and or his Estate first . A non story , stupidity , they deserve to be sued ..

[@braxxian]

It’s Lucasfilm under Kathleen Kennedy. Stupid is their middle name.

[@Fool3SufferingFools]

Lucasfilm did get permission from his estate, as well as his management company. This Francis guy is claiming he had some agreement with Cushing (which apparently neither his estate nor his management firm knew about) that made Francis his sole authorized representative for the use of his likeness. 🤷‍♂️

[@crazyralph6386]

I’m just glad Cushing and Guinness aren’t around to see the desecration of SW.

[@rawbhl]

They could have asked Wayne Pygram (Scorpius from Farscape) to come back and reprise the role, which he played right at the end of Revenge of the Sith

[@Mr72Dolphins]

Long live the Star Wars Holiday Special

[@chasehedges6775]

And Ewoks The Battle For Endor. Love that movie and it feels more like Star Wars than Modern Disney

[@silverjohn6037]

Resurrecting Harvey Korman in drag?

[@projektkobra2247]

Im still in recovery.

[@starsiegeplayer]

​@@silverjohn6037stir whip stir whip whip whip stir 🤪

[@syntaxusdogmata3333]

@@silverjohn6037 Seems extreme...

[@YoStu242]

If deceased actor has made it clear that he/she can be recreated digitally after death and relatives are compensated then I see no problem

[@carynfisher9463]

Good on that judge for recognizing that this is emerging case law and there isn't a clear precedent for this.

[@soulechelon2643]

I would only be for actors being "revived" digitally if the actor themselves agree to it while they are alive. Not their estate. Not their family.

[@councilofkarens729]

Peter Cushing is WAAAAY too classy for current Disney. He was a proper gentleman, as was his close friend Christopher Lee.

[@stefbeg]

JJ Abrams had the very good taste to make his movie SW IX (with footages of the late Carrie Fisher) start with "The dead speak!"...

[@michaellombardi5831]

Why would Disney think " because of his original contract they didn't need permission "? Original contract wasn't even with them.

[@gbonkers666]

All, contracts and agreements go with to the new company when a business changes hands. Sorry, I'm going to go with Disney on this....the family is looking for a bigger payout. Seeing it their new "theory" will work.

[@SpartacusRyuuou]

​@gbonkers666 it's not even the family. Just a guy claiming to be a friend, saying he had an agreement with Cushing, that apparently no one else knew about. And the legal proceedings began in 2019, three years after the movie was released. God forbid I defend anything involving Darth Mouse, but this smells like the guy just wants money.

[@MarkoJuhaniMussalo]

It just says what they think "peasant aren't even free, after they die, that's how much we own you". These people are sick and have no respect over anything.

[@Dinoslay]

Questionable integrity indeed.

[@jhonviel7381]

STARWARS is bigger than all of us!!!!! kneel before it!

[@shaz2761]

The Peter Cushing FX were NOT impressive!! .. looked like a game character.

[@cabmangray1423]

I agree. It was dreadful. Didn't do him justice.

[@gcarson19]

Gollum...

[@y345vash9]

​@@gcarson19 That isn't the same thing. Gollum is a fictional character, and he barely looks human (or in his case, hobbit) at all. Peter Cushing's character was not created using special effects, he was just Peter Cushing. Recreating his likeness just to have him for a few seconds (I think that's all they had him for) is disrespectful.

[@1dcondave]

The "digital necromancy" is one more symptom of the entertainment industry's lack of originality

[@mickeythompson9537]

Exactly! Just. Do. Something. New!!!!!!!!!!!

[@evertonporter7887]

People need to get their bums into the seats of movie theatres and start supporting original movies.

[@WihanStemmet]

I remember when I saw this scene the 1st time my initial reaction was 'Why didn't they just cast Charles Dance in this role ?' I think he would have been perfect and the fans would certainly not mind

[@tomnorton4277]

Actually, I think the guy they got to stand in for Cushing has a pretty good resemblance to him already. They didn't need to use CGI. It's kind if like when Henry Thomas took over for Jack Nicholson in Doctor Sleep. Sure, you can tell that they're two different actors but they both had a good understanding of the character and had at least a passing resemblance.

[@ExpressoMechanicTV]

I agree with you. Digital recreations of dead actors are only okay, if the actor died during the making of a film. Other than that, cast another actor in the role. It happens in TV productions all the time, so audiences will happily accept it.

[@chasehedges6775]

EXACTLY! Recasting is a good thing

[@Seltkirk-ABC]

and who's gonna sue them LMAO you? Some random Internet strangers trying to sue some multi-billion dollar conglomerate machine

[@AxelAlexK]

I agree that it should be left only for films where the actor dies part way through or in cases where the actor gave his or her permission prior to death.

[@cmedtheuniverseofcmed8775]

I admit, if this happened immediately after Rouge One came out, I would understand. It's weird because it happened so much later, long after the movie was completed. Regardless, I would imagine that the family fears that Disney would take Cushing's face and apply it to anything. Disney can turn around and suddenly make Tarkin a trans character that makes out with little alien creatures because some crazed writer would want that, and Disney would suddenly start slapping Cushing's face onto the movies or shows to abide by that. There's been a lot of efforts by current media to tarnish people, creators, and actors of the past, and I do believe if given the opportunity, they would try to use people from beyond the grave for their own nefarious means. I support the Cushing family in this case if they wish to prevent any further harm from being done to a deceased actor and his legacy.

[@TheLeadElite]

Agreed, the timing of this is a bit strange. I feel like part of it is Crushing’s family smelling blood in the water after Acolyte got the axe. But the suit does still have some merit imo. Certainly not without precedent that Disney would warp the man’s image too. After what Disney did to Robin Williams, every actor’s family should be concerned.

[@FP194]

This is not the family suing as Disney had their permission or the image could’ve never been used

[@bloodysimile4893]

​@@FP194is a person not entitled to their own likeness?

[@wild1234]

​@RichSmithson That's the part that gets me though. The article says the family is not the one suing. Disney paid the family for using his likeness. A "friend" of the actor is suing both Disney and the family... Why does a friend have more right to an actors likeness than his family or agent do? If it was the family suing I would understand, but the family being the one getting sued has me baffled.

[@SpartacusRyuuou]

​@@wild1234​ yeah, just a guy claiming to be a friend, saying he had an agreement with Cushing, that apparently no one else knew about. And the legal proceedings began in 2019, three years after the movie was released. God forbid I defend anything involving Darth Mouse, but this smells like the guy just wants money.

[@Rogue.Templar30]

This makes me wonder how fellow Star Wars actor and friend, Sir Christopher Lee, would have felt on seeing his friend again in such a way.

[@grandmufftwerkin9037]

Disney: So big it's bound to fail.

[@chasehedges6775]

Accurate

[@franko2886]

Good! RIP Peter Cushing.

[@Texbrocko26]

Initially I was all for these digital recreations. But I liked what you said about this previously where by casting another actor to play the role we (the audience) get a new play on that character, an actor gets to act out a part as opposed to a cgi artist doing what they think the Late Mr. Cushing would have done.

[@JustTooDamnHonest]

I bet Disney is going to say that Cushing’s estate can’t sue them due to having a Disney Plus subscription 😂

[@TheManInBlueFlames]

How about talking about Star Wars Theory, the biggest SW KZbinr and the attacks on his life by the Disney shills?

[@rrwholloway]

I always thought it was odd to have Tarkin in Rogue One. There are so many other ways they could have done it, and over the shoulder shot, a subordinate saying Tarkin’s too busy with final preparations for the Death Star launch… etc

[@wooproductions-1]

"Digital Necromancy" 😂

[@tunasandwich395]

They recast Mon Mothma and it's been just fine, barely noticeable even.

[@awesomehpt8938]

I’m sure Disney will find a way to Cushing the blow

[@P.HATHCOX]

🥁

[@WilhelmHand]

i wonder if they will get a Hammer blow from any other production company

[@Ta2dwitetrash]

Don't let that humor Peter out.

[@gbonkers666]

Well, that's what the family wants anyone.

[@NojSolrac]

Wayne Pygram from Farscape played him at the very end of Revenge of the Sith.

[@KemPeck1701]

hmmm.. scorpious... seems almost fitting.. doesnt it

[@FabledFrame]

Digital Necromancy. I thought it was ghoulish when they did it with Audrey Hepburn for a Galaxy chocolate ad in 2013.

[@marbellaotaiza801]

L.A. Ghoul

[@gbonkers666]

They were doing that before....John Wayne for Bud Light...Gene Kelly dancing with Paula Abdul..etc...someone what some big Disney money.

[@inadisguise9824]

Wondering why this has taken so long get started ? You would figure Disney would have all the i's dotted and t's crossed before going ahead with doing this, but then again it is Disney.

[@gbonkers666]

Because the family missed out on the payday they should have originally negoitated.

[@SpartacusRyuuou]

​@@gbonkers666not the family. It's a guy claiming to be Cushings friend.

[@RionE23]

I 100% agree that the dead should be allowed to rest and new talent should be given a chance. We can’t live in the 80s and 90s forever, we need to move on.

[@Bow-to-the-absurd]

Exactly. The west is utterly stuck in the past. Doesn't help that 99 % of new stuff is objectively landfill.

[@docsavage8640]

Wait...a massive corporation with thousands of lawyers didn't secure the rights in advance? 😆 🤣 😂 😹 😆 🤣 😂 😹 😆 🤣 😂 😹 😆 🤣

[@SpartacusRyuuou]

They got permission from the estate and his management company. They didn't think to check his friends list.

[@raymondyu412]

Did Peter Cushing had a subscription to Disney+?

[@neiltaylor6645]

What about Crispin Glover who sued when his likeness was used in BTTF part 2 and 3

[@jomofo42]

Good! And they deserve so much more! Feeling good today!

[@Jimvanhise]

I don't know about the UK, but in the US when someone dies, any existing contracts they signed automatically expire and have to be renegotiated. The same is true about contracts which exist with one company and that company is sold, causing all existing contracts to expire and have to be renegotiated. For Peter Cushing to sign a contract to allow his likeness to be used, it must have been for a project WHICH NEVER HAPPENED!

[@MrLuciousp]

The studio head should’ve caught this. Who was in charge?

[@Phaota]

His last on-screen performance is one of my favorite 1980's classic sci-fi comedy movies, "Biggles-Adventures in Time" from 1986. It's a fun, cheesy film with an excellent soundtrack, available on Blu-ray now as well. Highly recommended.

[@Mordiaken]

Imagine being in a film prior to the actual idea of digital recreation was ever imagined only to find out 47 years later after you are dead they can use your likeness... What's to stop them from using the likeness of live people if that is the case?

[@dash4800]

Disney it seems, loves to make the worst legal arguments. "We didnt think we needed permission to use his likeness in this film because he once made a different film for us." Yeah, im sure thats going to hold up to legal scrutiny.

[@noahjohnson5312]

not even for them; for a company they subsequently purchased

[@gbonkers666]

Probably will.

[@grandmufftwerkin9037]

Without Peter, my KZbin persona would not exist. I owe him a debt.

[@chasehedges6775]

“You have a debt to pay.” - Davy Jones

[@TheManFromWaco]

I can absolutely see some DEI hire director or screenwriter abusing “digital necromancy” to cast an imitation of some traditional masculine icon like Charlton Heston, John Wayne, or Humphrey Bogart and have them “put in their place” by some suitably stunning and brave casting choice. Never mind that any of those men could sell more movie tickets on their name recognition than a Social Justice Warrior could sell on borrowed brand recognition. Hopefully that’s just an overblown scenario, but never bet against lunacy in this day and age.

[@stevejjd]

Reminds me of when a digital double of Bruce Lee was used in an advertisement to sell alcohol.

[@voutsider190]

You're right. It is creepy. And disrespectful

[@CloneShockTrooper]

Thought they had permission.. oh well I guess not

[@SpartacusRyuuou]

They did. From the estate and his management company.

[@Dreamfox-df6bg]

Sounds to me that the Disney legal department is slipping, because the argument with the original contract sounds like they haven't read the original contract. Given, neither have I, but I know the 'Salkind Clause' which was relatively new back then. For those that don't know the 'Salkind Clause', it defines how many movies can be made with the filmed material. This came into being when they filmed so much material for the 1973's 'Three Musketeers' that they made two movies from it, but paid the actors for only one. Which was/is(?) a mandatory clause by the Screen Actor's Guild.

[@caselleknoxiv589]

Digital necromancy should be illegal, the only time I agree with like you said is when the actor dies during filming and it has yet to finish.

[@toolman99]

If the actor died during filming, yes.

[@starsiegeplayer]

Yeah it's ok then.

[@white-dragon4424]

I'm not so sure. Peter Cushing said that he was quite disappointed when he saw his character get blown up at the end of ANH. Apparently he was hoping to reprise his role in any sequel that was made, which ironically he sort of did. In that case I've got no problem with putting him in there, just so long as Disney paid the family to do so. As for recreating deceased actors in films, I think it's only creepy because we're not used to it yet. Give it time though, because in years to come it'll probably become quite common. I look at it this way, it's only a digital cartoon.

[@chuck_moore]

I agree with you. Thanks.

[@GRT1865]

My question is who controls the image of a person after they pass? Keep up the good work Dave.

[@dsmyify]

Question might be who owns the image of a person alive or dead? Because movie extras are signing away their likeness indefinitely in so they can be digitally recreated in reshoots.

[@camaro5081]

Usually family members of the actors that have passed away. Carrie Fisher's daughter gave permission to Lucasfilm use her likeness in Star Wars Episode 9.

[@AnnemaGomez]

For sure one of your best videos yet!

[@aaronyarbrough7166]

Never, unless as you mentioned an actor died during filming. They should have cast Ian McKellen as Tarkin in Rogue One.

[@belongaskip]

Good! Sue them to hell and back.

[@Seltkirk-ABC]

and who's gonna sue them LMAO you? Some random Internet strangers trying to sue some multi-billion dollar conglomerate machine

[@MexxProtect]

@@Seltkirk-ABCMary Sue

[@belongaskip]

@@Seltkirk-ABC Me? DInd't you watch the video?

[@darkguardian1314]

We knew this was going to be a thing back in 1981. The movie “Looker” is a SciFi Thriller where actors and models are digitally created Perfect 10 based on real people. The images were used in commercials and movies.😂 In the movie, the real humans used to create the models are being “deleted.” It’s cheesy 80s movies but it was spot on that computers will become powerful enough to create realistic images of humans. I remember seeing it in the theaters in 1981. This was before “Tron” in 1982. It maybe worth a review by Dave Cullen.

[@michaelbuick6995]

Aside from being disrespectful to the memory of the late actor, it's also unhealthy for us, I think. Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, they are iconic of an era of cinema. Before them it was Lugosi and Karloff. Those were their eras and I think it's incumbent on each generation to create its own. Using CGI to resurrect long deceased actors isn't just mining graves it's us living in the past.

[@P.HATHCOX]

That's actually some pretty decent food for thought.

[@SweetSweetCandyBoyz]

I think the Judge thought the case could used to discuss and set some precedents when it comes to AI and recreated content. The response outwrought says that this is all new, the book hasn't been written yet - Let's take it to court, and use it as a compass to guide some decision-making standards while regulating the use of AI.

[@firekind1980]

Imagine 30yo Indiana Jones verses the Predator with *87 Schwarzenegger. On Mars.

[@Evilmidnightbomber2870]

My concern is not just the "digital necromancy", as you put it, but that it could be expanded to also be used on the living. A technology that could make anyone appear to be saying or doing anything. Remember the old adage, pictures don't lie. Yeah, now they do

[@billbrasky527]

1. Agree on the points you made. 2. While we may prefer actors we've come to be used to playing the roles, in situations like this it's a small bit of transparency into the agenda of making money off "member-berries". If the story is solid, you can recast the role. If you're just exploiting a remake by hiring actors from another great film, and you can't succeed in your efforts without those familiar faces, then you don't deserve to make the film.

[@Dinoslay]

It’s like forcing dead workers to keep “working” in a factory that they left behind long before they passed away. Seems like greed finds a way around any obstacle. Them using an AI recreation of the voice of James Earl Jones(RIP) is another similar example of questionable integrity.

[@martynstembridge7714]

I've got no problem with it if the family agree ... Apparently Ian Holm's family were thrilled to see his likeness on screen once again, especially as Holm himself felt ignored by Hollywood after the LOTR films.

[@richardcorwin1828]

I'm sure Peter Cushing would approve of the clown and circus show that LucasFilm and Disney has turned into. NOT!

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

I wonder how Carrie felt. After all, that aspect of things was ignored in this video.

[@richardcorwin1828]

@@Novastar.SaberCombat Good question but using her likeness, IMHO, wasn't good.

[@gbonkers666]

I liked it in Rogue One...but, all of the actors and actresses signed away their licenses away when they signed up 1977 for action figures.

[@richardcorwin1828]

@@gbonkers666 You may be right about that but their likenesses may only allow for marketing and not for production. I'm sure we'll find out though.

[@michaeljdauben]

I know I was appalled and disgusted when they did it to Carrie Fisher.

[@johnoliver1207]

Spot on analysis! I had a similar thought while watching Billy Joel's new music video "Turn The Lights Back On," in which it showed him at various stages of his musical career singing this new song. Obviously they had his permission to do this, since he's still alive and actually in the video today. But I still don't like the trend of creating things that never really happened. In this case, Peter Cushing did not say those words in Rogue One, did not play his role in Rogue One, so there's an added layer of "fakeness" to an already fictional story. It detracts from the overall story...and it's just creepy! My two cents....

[@PhantomHarlock78]

i wonder if in life is possible to forbbiden your future state to sell your likeness.

[@yukitakahashi5739]

It gets creepier and more dystopian the more I think about it. Let the dead rest in peace.

[@DanielEbeck]

Rogue One may be the best of the Disney SW output. But that's not a particularly high bar.

[@jackburton1455]

It was in really poor taste. Just like using Ian Holms likeness in Romulus and even Laurence Olivier in Skycaptain

[@carlrood4457]

It's going to happen whether we like it or not. However, there are things to consider. How long does a person's image likeness rights extend after their dead? Also, where's the line? Hollywood has used things like makeup, wigs, and prosthetics to make actors look like historical figures. How different is CGI from that? Also, where's the line as what a "likeness" is. Some people just look similar to each other already. There's actually an industry devoted to such impersonations/homages to celebrities. A few tweaks with cosmetic surgery might make an unknown look even more like the famous person. Is that using their "likeness"? What if the CGI model is given different colored eyes from the actor? Or a scar? Does that deviate enough from their likeness? Legally, I can see studios going forward trying to use such ambiguities to avoid rights.

[@chargingrhino5636]

Perhaps Disney should have argued that their streaming service arbitration clause justifies dismissal. 🙄

[@shadowleon659]

They should have gotten a look and sound alike. Using CGI to bring back dead actors is insulting and disrespectful.

[@michaelbeaule1966]

My bias against Disney aside, I dont see the issue with CGI a characters likeness into a film if it does the character justice and their is compensation for family members or the estate. I have no issue with recasting but recreating the likeness adds consistency to the films. I respect Peter Cushing but when I see the film I see Tarkin not Cushing as it was intended. Where something like this stops is another debatable matter entirley.

[@Alte.Kameraden]

What is sad is the guy who played as Tarkin in Rogue One was a Cushing impersonator who looked a lot like him and could sound as well. They did not need to CGI Cushing into the film. 😂 They hired him because he knew how to act like Cushing, walk like Cushing and sound like Cushing. At that point they might as well just had him dress in uniform with some makeup and hair cut.

[@n64danny21]

We live in a world where bad guys throw money at their problems to make them go away...

[@chasehedges6775]

Soooo true

[@P.HATHCOX]

💯 Excellent comment

[@chasehedges6775]

Not just that, our world is headed towards the same outcome to looking what it looked like in Planet Of The Ape: a desolate wasteland.

[@jorgezarco9269]

Bereft of life...again. Peter Cushing is also angry that Mircalla is drooling over the sight of his grand-daughter!

[@tinderbox218]

I don't think Cushing's and Carrie Fisher's likenesses were all that technically accomplished. Ultimately they still looked very uncanny valley to me.

[@J.E.R.O.M.E.]

If this suit is successful it will set a precedent, and then the corpse of Star Wars can stop being paraded around by Disney once and for all!

[@omniviewer2115]

First Disney is involved in a scandal where somebody died. Now they're involved in a scandal where somebody was brought back from the dead. We live in such surreal times.

[@deadturret4049]

Before the first scandal you mentioned, Disney got in hot water for threatening legal actions against a couple who put spiderman on their kid's tombstone because it was favourite hero when he was alive. Disney is already okay with dancing on a child's grave. CGI necromancy is tasteful by comparison

[@ashleystyles6888]

EVERYTHING fighting against the digital prison and big business deserves to be supported.

[@forceghostburtreynolds7597]

Nice! That shocked me...