SAG-AFTRA files unfair labor practice charge over AI Darth Vader in Fortnite
The Darth Vader character responds to players in-game using the AI generated voice of James Earl Jones.
LOS ANGELES — Hollywood’s actors’ union filed an unfair labor practice charge against Llama Productions on Monday, alleging the company replaced actors’ work by using artificial intelligence to generate Darth Vader’s voice in Fortnite without notice.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists said Llama Productions, a subsidiary of gaming giant Epic Games, “failed and refused to bargain in good faith with the union” in the last six months. The company made unilateral changes to the terms and conditions of employment “without providing notice to the union or the opportunity to bargain” by using AI-generated voices to replace bargaining unit work, SAG-AFTRA said.
Epic Games did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
SAG-AFTRA called a strike against major game companies in July after more than a year of negotiations around the union’s interactive media agreement broke down over concerns around the use of unregulated artificial intelligence.
In a statement, SAG-AFTRA said the union supports the rights of members and their estates to control the use of their digital replicas.
“However, we must protect our right to bargain terms and conditions around uses of voice that replace the work of our members, including those who previously did the work of matching Darth Vader’s iconic rhythm and tone in video games,” the union said.
Epic Games made the announcement Friday, saying they had the permission from James Earl Jones’ family.
“Darth Vader wouldn’t be nearly as sinister without the legendary performance of James Earl Jones, who voiced Vader in the Star Wars films,” the announcement read. “We’re honored to feature the voice of the late Mr. Jones and we thank his estate for the opportunity to make this happen for players.”
The announcement also included a statement from his estate:
“James Earl felt that the voice of Darth Vader was inseparable from the story of Star Wars, and he always wanted fans of all ages to continue to experience it. We hope that this collaboration with Fortnite will allow both longtime fans of Darth Vader and newer generations to share in the enjoyment of this iconic character. – The family of James Earl Jones”
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