New lawsuit claims Disney did not ask permission to use Peter Cushing’s likeness in Rogue One

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As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in various virtual worlds, I find myself often reflecting on the boundaries between reality and fiction. The recent legal battle surrounding Disney’s use of Peter Cushing’s likeness in “Rogue One” has stirred up a storm of thoughts within me.

Viewers were taken aback when the 2016 movie “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” included Grand Moff Tarkin. This wasn’t due to him not fitting in, but rather because digital effects brought back the likeness of Peter Cushing, an actor who had passed away more than two decades before the film was released.

As stated in a recent court case, Disney is accused of using Cushing’s likeness in their film without obtaining prior consent. It is claimed that Lucasfilm thought they were not required to ask for approval to portray Cushing on screen due to the terms of his contract. However, the lawsuit alleges that, according to an agreement directly between Cushing and Lucasfilm, explicit permission was necessary under law.

The announcement of the lawsuit has ignited a broader discussion on the moral implications of utilizing someone’s image, whether with or without consent. Movie production companies are progressively employing various technologies to digitally rejuvenate actors, effectively resurrecting characters (in a cinematic sense).

This doesn’t even count the growing use of AI to create images, even videos, of anyone without their consent. You may have heard of “deepfakes,” where it appears someone is clearly speaking in front of a camera when it isn’t actually real.

Is it morally acceptable to use an actor’s likeness on screen with permission in most cases, considering a notable example like Carrie Fisher? In Rogue One and The Rise of Skywalker, her image was not only recreated but also unused footage was utilized. Regardless of whether permission was granted or not, Fisher had no control over how her likeness was portrayed and may continue to be used in the future. Is this fair and just, not only in the present day, but also in the distant future?

It’s a complicated issue that grows more complicated with more advanced technology. However, this lawsuit involving Cushing could open the door for many more cases like this one, which could change the film industry forever.

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2024-09-13 19:51