As a lifelong Star Wars enthusiast, I find myself grappling with the question of whether it is appropriate for Lucasfilm to bring back Darth Vader, even if they can use James Earl Jones’ iconic voice through AI technology. Having grown up watching the original trilogy, Darth Vader has always been an integral part of the Star Wars universe for me, just as he is for countless other fans.
On September 9, 2024, the death of James Earl Jones left a profound sorrow among movie enthusiasts. His filmography was simply unmatched, but no character was as iconic or dominated pop culture more than Darth Vader, the role that truly defined him. From the original 1977 Star Wars to The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, Jones lent his voice to the Star Wars villain-turned-tragic hero.
In 2022, Jones decided to step down from his role as Darth Vader’s voice actor, a choice that has far-reaching implications for both the Star Wars universe and the broader entertainment industry. During the filming of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jones agreed to a contract with Lucasfilm, allowing them to utilize archived recordings of his voice to create Darth Vader’s artificial voice in future projects. In essence, the iconic character Darth Vader can continue to appear in Star Wars productions using Jones’s voice, even though he is no longer active in the acting world.
Instead of focusing on the future of “Star Wars”, it’s crucial to remember that the life and legacy of James Earl Jones, a real person with experiences beyond just “Star Wars”, holds greater significance. It would be more fitting for fans to contemplate about his life when they learned of his passing, rather than pondering over its implications for “Star Wars” and Darth Vader.
In simpler terms, because Darth Vader’s character is represented by a mask without facial features and a voice, it might seem less complicated to manipulate his appearance compared to Luke Skywalker, especially when de-aging Mark Hamill can lead to an unsettling effect known as the uncanny valley. However, this scenario presents not just practical challenges but also ethical dilemmas. James Earl Jones agreed to let Lucasfilm use his voice for Darth Vader, and fans might question this decision while still having concerns about how his voice is being used in the industry. The question remains whether fans can approve of Jones’s consent and still find issues with Lucasfilm’s utilization of his voice.
Bringing Back Deceased Actors Has Become More Common, And That’s Troubling
The practice of using footage of an actor who has died has long been controversial since the Dirt Devil vacuum commercial featuring legendary actor Fred Astaire dancing with a Dirt Devil vacuum, as the vacuum is spliced into his old movies. Astaire’s daughter famously said, “saddened that after his wonderful career, he was sold to the devil.” While movies like Superman Returns brought back Marlon Brando as Jor-El with unused footage filmed for Superman: The Movie and Superman II, the act of using CGI to create entirely new performances by digitally recreating an actor has become a growing troubling presence over the past decade.
Disney has gained recognition for digitally reversing the aging of actors, such as Jeff Bridges in Tron: Legacy, Michael Douglas in Ant-Man, and Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tale. However, it was with the release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in 2016 that they ventured into uncharted territory. They resurrected the character of Grand Moff Tarkin, who passed away from cancer in 1994, by using Peter Cushing’s body double on set and creating his likeness with computer-generated imagery (CGI). The use of this technology was a topic of debate at the time, but since then, it has been employed in various movies to bring back deceased actors for significant roles, including Harold Ramis in Ghostbusters: Afterlife and more recently, Ian Holm in Alien: Romulus.
Kevin Francis, who was close friends with Peter Cushing, is taking legal action against Lucasfilm via his film company. Additionally, he has filed lawsuits against Lunak Heavy Industries, the administrators of Cushing’s estate after his death in 1994 at age 81, and Associated International Management, Cushing’s talent agency. Francis asserts that, under an agreement made with Cushing in 1993, he must approve any use or recreation of the actor’s likeness.
During the ongoing legal proceedings, some questionable practices have come to light. It’s crucial for production studios to collaborate with estates, as seen in the case of Ian Holm’s likeness being utilized for Alien: Romulus. Sometimes, studios proceed without seeking consent, such as in the instance of Christopher Reeves’s likeness as Superman in The Flash, which was used without informing his family. The fact that Disney initially believed they didn’t need to consult or compensate the Cushing estate is concerning, but this practice is no longer feasible. As of September 2024, the California state Senate has enacted a law requiring consent before using deceased actors’ likenesses for AI-generated digital replicas.
James Earl Jones’s Decision
In the case of reviving a deceased actor, ethical considerations often arise, with some arguing it boils down to consent. If an estate agrees to it, some consider it acceptable, while others believe even if the estate approves, it’s still questionable since the original actors didn’t initially agree to the project. In the instance of James Earl Jones, however, there’s a distinct difference. Prior to his passing, he explicitly granted Lucasfilm permission to utilize an AI-generated replica of his voice. It is believed that this was done to guarantee that Darth Vader would persist beyond his death.
Instead of Peter Cushing, who passed away before the concept of using CGI or AI to resurrect an actor became feasible, Jones was aware of the technology. He granted Lucasfilm permission to use his voice for Darth Vader in any way they desired, and it’s not a question of right or wrong, but more about personal choice. This can be likened to organ donation, where the goal is to save lives. However, in this case, the intention seems to be to “revive” a franchise or maintain a beloved character, which some may find uncomfortable to justify due to its commercial nature.
Additionally, there’s some ambiguity regarding the details of the contract. It’s unclear if Lucasfilm and Disney solely possess the rights to Darth Vader’s voice or if they can exert control over other films featuring James Earl Jones that have already been released, potentially claiming a portion of profits from residuals. While this might seem far-fetched, it wouldn’t be entirely implausible for Disney to leverage any potential contractual agreement in this manner.
Is it appropriate for Lucasfilm to utilize technology to make Darth Vader’s voice similar to James Earl Jones’, even though they technically could do so?
Star Wars Needs to Let Darth Vader Go
Initially, it might seem that Darth Vader’s death at the end of “Return of the Jedi” would exclude him from future Star Wars stories. However, Disney has been producing projects set after his demise, such as “The Mandalorian,” “Ahsoka,” and the sequel trilogy. Shows like “Obi-Wan Kenobi” and “Andor,” on the other hand, suggest that Lucasfilm is interested in telling stories between the events of “Revenge of the Sith” and “A New Hope.” These stories could potentially feature Vader, even though his original actor’s passing would typically require a new approach or recasting. Now, thanks to modern technology, Lucasfilm can use James Earl Jones’ voice for Darth Vader in these productions. The question remains, should they do so?
Although some might consider reprising Darth Vader as blasphemous, it’s not entirely implausible within the Star Wars universe. James Earl Jones isn’t the only actor who could lend his voice to Darth Vader; he is the most renowned, but given the extensive amount of Star Wars media produced – from video games to advertisements – Lucasfilm has employed other voice actors for Darth Vader on occasion. If they wish to avoid having another actor portray Vader in a movie or TV show, as this seems more sacred than appearing in video games, perhaps that’s the reason not to resurrect Darth Vader instead.
In Star Wars, the galaxy is massive with endless possibilities, but it can seem less expansive when they frequently revisit the same primary cast members. While Darth Vader is an exceptional villain and one of the franchise’s greatest, introducing fresh antagonists and stories isn’t out of reach. Even though George Lucas created iconic villains like Darth Maul, Count Dooku, and General Grievous in the absence of Darth Vader for the prequels.
As a passionate Star Wars fan, I find myself pondering over the tendency of the franchise to consistently revolve around Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Leia Organa, which has become somewhat problematic. The allure of the sequel trilogy lay in its potential to introduce fresh, captivating characters that could propel the series into new territories. However, this promise seems to have taken a step back, making room for familiar faces.
When Darth Vader reappears with James Earl Jones’s voice provided by AI technology, it may spark a contentious debate. Some fans might be thrilled to hear Jones’s voice once more, while others might criticize this move as yet another example of studios and enthusiasts treating characters and artists like toys in an intellectual property preservation game where the brand overshadows the individual. Despite Jones’s approval for his voice to be used for Darth Vader, many will argue that Disney’s approach is creatively and morally bankrupt. There are no simple answers; instead, there are challenging ones to consider.
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2024-09-19 02:02