James Earl Jones’ voice became iconic over his more than six-decade acting career. Known for his rich and commanding tone, Jones passed away at 93, leaving behind memorable performances in films like “Field of Dreams” and “Coming to America,” and earning two Tony Awards for his roles in “The Great White Hope” and “Fences.” As a voice actor, he brought both regal authority to Mufasa in “The Lion King” and a menacing presence to Darth Vader in “Star Wars,” solidifying his legendary status among generations of fans.
In the wake of his death, attention has turned to Jones’ decision to allow artificial intelligence (AI) to replicate his voice for future performances as Darth Vader. In 2022, Skywalker Sound and the Ukrainian company Respeecher used AI to recreate his iconic voice for the Disney+ series “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” AI was also used to “de-age” Mark Hamill’s voice for his role as Luke Skywalker in “The Mandalorian.”
This use of AI has sparked concern within the voice-acting community. Some fear that AI could reduce or eliminate job opportunities, as technology might be used to replicate an actor’s voice without their consent. These concerns were a driving force behind a strike initiated by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) in July, particularly among video game performers.
Jones’ decision, however, raises broader questions about the future of voice acting. While some see his involvement as a step toward more transparent AI agreements, others worry that it could diminish the artistry of voice acting. Voice actor Zeke Alton praised Jones’ involvement, saying, “If companies provided the same consent and compensation to all actors as they did to James Earl Jones, we wouldn’t be on strike.”
The video game industry has faced ongoing negotiations regarding AI protections, with SAG-AFTRA members concerned that the technology could displace performers. While the union is not inherently anti-AI, its members want to ensure that the use of AI does not undermine their livelihoods. The broader entertainment industry, including Hollywood, has also been grappling with AI’s implications, as evidenced by last year’s film and television strikes.
Jones, who overcame a childhood stutter, once shared that his goal was simply to have a clear voice. He aimed to bring depth and humanity to Darth Vader, though George Lucas advised him to maintain a narrower emotional range due to the character’s mechanical nature.
Neither Skywalker Sound nor Respeecher commented on the matter, but reports indicate that Jones guided the AI-generated portrayal of Darth Vader as a “benevolent godfather.” However, some voice actors, like Brock Powell, worry that AI could eliminate jobs for performers who specialize in voice matching. Powell pointed out that the ability to use an actor’s voice indefinitely could undermine opportunities for future actors to bring new interpretations to iconic roles.
Crispin Freeman, another voice actor who has worked on voice matching, acknowledges that while AI might replace some roles, it won’t diminish the creation of new characters and stories. “Rather than worrying about replacing Darth Vader, why don’t we create new characters that are just as compelling?” he said.
Sarah Elmaleh, chair of SAG-AFTRA’s interactive negotiating committee, believes Jones’ agreement could serve as a model for fair compensation and consent in the future. She also expressed concern about equating a person’s voice with their performance, saying, “When you conflate the man with the machine, you become a tool for other powers.”
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Alton echoed this sentiment, wondering about the long-term implications of using Jones’ voice for another hundred years. He questioned whether, without the context of Jones’ full body of work, the voice would become “disembodied,” ultimately reducing the artistic impact. He posed a critical question: “Do we want our entertainment to remain human, or do we want it to become bland?”
