Robert Downey Jr. will not allow AI to replace him and has threatened legal action against anyone who tries to do so, even after he is gone. Hollywood continues to experiment with AI as the innovative technology advances and becomes more reliable. AI also poses a threat to creativity in the entertainment industry and directors, writers and actors have expressed concerns about studios’ use of the tool. Downey Jr., who played Iron Man in the MCU for 11 years, is the latest actor to share his thoughts and has a strong warning for Hollywood.
is one of the most prolific and respected figures in the film industry, recently winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2023. Oppenheimer. In a recent appearance on an episode of With Kara Swisher podcastSwisher told the actor that “future executives” will try to recreate his image with AI after he leaves. Downey Jr. warns these executives that his legal team will still be very active.
Well, you’re right. I would like to state here that I intend to sue all future executives just…[after death] my law firm will still be very active.
The MCU shouldn’t try to bring Iron Man back with AI
Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU, but not as Tony Stark. He will return in Avengers: Judgment Day as Doctor Doom, the next central villain for the Avengers to fight. However, many still theorize that he could one day return as Tony, whether in a flashback or as a variant from another universe. If he returns as Iron Man, it will have to be while he is alive, as an AI recreation of Tony is not an option, nor should it be. Downey Jr. knows that executives might consider recreating his image as Tony Stark, but he’s not worried about Marvel doing that.
Going back to the MCU, I’m not worried about them kidnapping my character’s soul, because there are three or four guys and girls who make all the decisions there anyway, and they would never do that to me, to me or without me.
Downey Jr.’s comments suggest he isn’t worried about Marvel making this soulless move, as he trusts the studio and its leaders. This relationship likely led to his return as Doctor Doom, as he wouldn’t return if he didn’t feel he would be treated with respect. Marvel is a studio that many actors want to work with and if they didn’t try to recreate Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, they probably wouldn’t try to recreate Tony Stark.
Each actor must keep their legal team alert
AI is becoming a big problem in Hollywood. While many studios get permission from actors’ families to recreate their likenesses, seeing a dead actor resurrected by deepfake technology hasn’t escaped the uncanny valley feeling. For example, Christopher Reeve in The Flash it looked strange and the effects ruined any kind of homage the film wanted for the actor. The same can be said for Ian Holm, whose image was used to bring Rook back Alien: Romulus.
The effects in Rook weren’t perfect and it felt like a cheap way to invoke nostalgia in the audience. Fifty years from now, AI technology will likely be much better, correcting these effects to the point where they appear seamless. However, it will always look disgusting when the image of a deceased actor is recreated and Marvel shouldn’t try to do that to Downey Jr. Iron Man. More actors should follow their logic and ensure that their legacies are not tarnished by executives who want to dig graves in search of gold.
Source: With Kara Swisher podcast