ethical implications of resurrecting dead actors for new roles

kevin 714

kevin 714

Well-known member
interesting topic.

note, article discusses rogue one but contains no story elements, only that the tarkin character is created using digital effects to create the character peter cushing played.

when CHARACTERS arent resurrected, but distinct actors themselves, what ethical issues arise?

https://www.theguardian.com/film/fi...-one-star-wars-cgi-resurrection-peter-cushing

So where do we draw the line? It was reported last year that the late actor Robin Williams had passed on rights to his name, signature, photograph and likeness to a trust protecting the use of his image until 2039. Williams, as with Ari Folman’s The Congress, clearly saw Hollywood’s direction.

Returning to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, it’s interesting that Peter Cushing isn’t credited on the Internet Movie Database, nor the presumed body double used to stand in for the shots. This is more likely about not creating a spoiler for diehard Star Wars fans, rather than a creative snub, despite the character’s return being well-publicised.

Advertisement

Questions remained unanswered, though. Who gets paid for a digital resuscitee’s role? Does an estate have to give permission if the likenesses are taken from pre-existing footage under licence to movie studios? It is difficult, at least in English law, to protect your own likeness, and unless an actor, as Williams did, has taken steps to protect their image, it is unlikely that permission would be needed
Click to expand...

Could a director resurrect an actor digitally if they believe there are perfect for the role? Are we going to see Marlon Brando, James Dean, Grace Kelly and other Hollywood icons brought back to star alongside Dwayne Johnson and Melissa McCarthy? Perhaps.
Click to expand...
 
Blankpage

Blankpage

alien
Any different than if an actor dies just prior to a flick being released.
That's already happened a couple of times.
 
TripleSeven

TripleSeven

...
Not really a fan of this. In R1 my 73yo dad couldn't tell who was 3D. But I could see the imperfections that suspended my belief. I work as a 3D animator so I could see maybe more than the average viewer. I'm sure most of us could feel it though. Leia at the end was very plastic imo. Support the advancement of technology and the artistry involved. Those are thoughts on the end product. Thus I'd just prefer we use living actors and write stories accordingly.
 
rsrider

rsrider

47% parasite 53% ahole
Why do we even need the likenesses of real actors? It's absurd to think that a complete digital character, created from the ground up for the sole purpose of a specific role, can't be imbued with what ever range of emotion the role calls for. Famous actors, who account for high percentage of a movies budget, are bound for the dust bin. Just as most silent film stars could not make the transition to talkies, todays celebs will be left wandering around like thespian zombies, relegated to dinner theater at your local playhouse. The technology needs to be perfected of course, but all it will take is one successful movie to push it into the mainstream.
 
Last edited:
FXCLM5

FXCLM5

bombaclaud
you should put spoiler alert,

i havent seen fukn star wars yet but i guess someguy is coming back alive??? wtf
 
kevin 714

kevin 714

Well-known member
FXCLM5 said:
you should put spoiler alert,

i havent seen fukn star wars yet but i guess someguy is coming back alive??? wtf
Click to expand...



No story elements are revealed here or the article

Only that a character exists, which is shown in all marketing materials for the film
 
Climber

Climber

Well-known member
It's only a matter of time before the political parties reincarnate images of famous political figures spouting their message.....likely something that would have had that political figure turning in their grave.
 
Abacinator

Abacinator

Unholy Blasphemies
Truthfully, it creeps me out and I wish they wouldn't do it. No matter how good the models and textures are, the movements are unnatural.
 
yodaisgod

yodaisgod

KHAAAAAN!
They asked Peter Cushing's estate and they said yes. The estate was financially compensated.

http://variety.com/2016/film/news/rogue-one-peter-cushing-digital-resurrection-cgi-1201943759/

Returning to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, it’s interesting that Peter Cushing isn’t credited on the Internet Movie Database, nor the presumed body double used to stand in for the shots. This is more likely about not creating a spoiler for diehard Star Wars fans, rather than a creative snub, despite the character’s return being well-publicised.
Click to expand...

Body double was credited.
Guy Henry ...
Governor Tarkin

And to be fair, yes, IMDB doesn't get fully updated until the release of a film.


It's really up the estate of a dead actor/actress whether their likeness (in all its forms) can be used with their permission. Otherwise, they'd get sue. But, not the first nor the last time a studio gets sued for using an actor's likeness without permission.

Much Ado About Nothing at this point....IMO
 
Karbon

Karbon

Hyper hoñorary
it's all about consent from the estate and/or the principal. Technology changes the ethics and morals should adapt and change with it too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top