By Angela Weiss / AFP
Technology has often been used by moviemakers to create incredible worlds that look realistic but are out of a director's imagination. With cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence and computer graphics, filmmakers are no longer hesitating about using these tools in their creations. But would they go as far as totally replacing an actor with a deepfake?
Technology has often been used by moviemakers to create incredible worlds that look realistic but are out of a director's imagination. With cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence and computer graphics, filmmakers are no longer hesitating about using these tools in their creations. But would they go as far as totally replacing an actor with a deepfake?
The concept of deepfakes are getting social networks buzzing. Virtual twins of Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves have already duped internet users on TikTok. This technology has prompted questions about whether these tools could be used to replace an actor who is sick or deceased. Recently, Bruce Willis found himself in a position where he had to speak up to put an end to a rumor that claimed that the Hollywood star had sold his image to Deepcake, the company behind many of these videos made with artificial intelligence.
The actor, who suffers from aphasia, a cognitive disorder that often results in communication difficulties, refuted that he had undertaken any such collaboration or agreement with the company. However, the actor known for playing John McClane in the "Die Hard' films already worked with Deepcake in 2021 to create an advertisement in which he appeared thanks to computer graphics. It can be a huge asset for actors, who can now appear in videos without having to be physically present during the shooting.
While Deepcake already works with art agencies like CAA, which represents Bruce Willis, the company did confirm that the actor would have to sign off on any future content created with his face.
This technology has already been used to re-created the character of Princess Leia in "Star Wars, Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker" in 2019, following the death of Carrie Fisher. Mark Hamill also saw his character of Luke Skywalker given new, youthful life through this process in the series "The Mandalorian" on Disney+. For this, scenes featuring the actor in his youth were used. Recently, another character from the "Star Wars" saga that will benefit from similar technology, as the voice of Darth Vader, played by James Earl Jones, will now be able to be replicated by an artificial intelligence.
