August 24th 2024.
Technology has come a long way in the film industry, allowing actors to return to the screen even after their passing. Thanks to deepfaking, AI, and CGI, we have seen several movie stars make posthumous appearances in films – with varying success.
One such example is the recent release of Alien: Romulus, the scary reboot of the classic body horror franchise. Fans were excited about this new installment, but there was one element that caused some controversy – the use of AI to include the character of Ash, played by the late Ian Holm in the original 1979 film.
Before the film was even released, Tori Brazier from The Agency predicted that Holm's AI incarnation would upset viewers, calling it "ethically murky." And her prediction turned out to be true. Many fans were unhappy with Holm's appearance, labeling it as "weird" and disrespectful. But this isn't the first time a posthumous film appearance has caused an uproar.
Let's take a look back at some other instances where deceased actors returned to the screen. In the recent Alien film, Ian Holm reprised his role as Ash, despite passing away in 2020. Director Fede Álvarez defended his decision, stating that he had received permission from Holm's widow, who was thrilled to see her late husband back on the screen.
However, despite having permission, fans were not impressed with Holm's appearance. They felt that the actor deserved a better homage. Similarly, in 2023, Christopher Reeve made an appearance in The Flash, even though he had passed away in 2004. The studio used CGI to recreate his likeness, and his version of Superman was seen in the multiverse by the Flash. However, Reeve's children stated that they were not asked for permission to use their father's likeness in the film.
On the other hand, Paul Walker's return in Fast 7, released in 2015, was well-received by fans. Using deep AI and CGI technology, the actor's face was placed onto his brother's face, who was driving the car in the final moments of the film. This was seen as a sweet farewell to the late actor who died at the age of 40.
In 2019, Carrie Fisher made a posthumous appearance as Princess Leia in Star Wars: Rise of the Skywalker. Filmmaker J.J. Abrams revealed that they had used footage from previous films to reprise her character, as they did not want to recast or use a CGI character. Fisher's daughter, Billie Lourd, also stood in as her body double for the scene.
Similarly, Audrey Hepburn made a CGI appearance in a Galaxy chocolate advert in 2013, seventeen years after her death. The advert received mixed reactions from fans, with some finding it disrespectful and others seeing it as a tribute to the iconic actress. Hepburn's sons had given permission for her likeness to be used in the commercial.
Harold Ramis, who passed away in 2014, made a cameo appearance in Ghostbusters Afterlife, released in 2021. The CGI version of his character, Egon Spengler, was fundamental to the plot of the film. Director Jason Reitman made sure to get permission from Ramis's family before including his likeness in the film, as he did not want to make the movie without their blessing.
Lastly, Marlon Brando's appearance in the 2006 film Superman Returns was made possible by using footage from the 1978 film and combining it with CGI. Brando's estate had given permission for his likeness to be used, and his appearance was met positively by fans.
It's amazing to see how far technology has come, allowing us to see our favorite actors on the screen even after they have passed away. But it's also important to remember to respect their legacy and seek permission from their loved ones before using their likeness.
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