Robert Downey Jr. believes that Marvel executives would not attempt to recreate his portrayal of Tony Stark using artificial intelligence. However, if they ever did, he is prepared to take legal action, even after his death.
In a recent appearance on the On With Kara Swisher podcast, the Oscar-winning actor expressed his intent to “sue all future executives” who permit an AI-generated version of him. Discussing his iconic role as Iron Man, Downey made it clear that he is opposed to having his likeness replicated by AI technology.
“I’m not concerned about them stealing my character’s essence because there are only a handful of people making those decisions, and they wouldn’t do that to me, whether I’m around or not,” Downey stated.
Swisher pointed out that those executives would eventually change.
“True,” Downey acknowledged. “I want to clarify that I plan to sue all future executives just as a precaution.”
“You’ll be dead,” Swisher remarked.
“But my law firm will still be fully operational,” Downey replied.
Neither Marvel Studios nor Downey’s representatives responded immediately to a request for comment.
This conversation takes place against the backdrop of the Hollywood video game performers’ strike, which started in July after over 18 months of negotiations with major game industry players stalled over AI protections.
Leaders of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have described the challenges surrounding the labor dispute—especially those related to AI—as an existential threat for performers.
Concerns about how studios may utilize AI were significant factors in last year’s four-month film and television strikes by the union.
Ultimately, SAG-AFTRA secured a deal mandating that productions obtain informed consent from actors before using their digital likenesses.
A SAG-AFTRA spokesperson stated that Downey has the legal right to refuse any uses of his digital likeness in films due to California’s new law that prohibits the unauthorized replication of a deceased performer’s likeness without prior consent. This legislation, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September, was supported by the union.
This month, Downey made his Broadway debut in McNeal, a one-act play by Ayad Akhtar that explores themes of artificial intelligence, artistic integrity, plagiarism, and copyright infringement.
In the production, the 59-year-old actor portrays Jacob McNeal, an esteemed novelist grappling with alcoholism and mental health issues at a pivotal point in his career.
“I don’t envy anyone who has become overly identified with this new phase of the information age,” Downey remarked. “The notion that it somehow belongs to them simply because they run these massive startups is a misconception.”
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