In December 2016, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, one of the biggest Star Wars hits of recent years, hit the cinemas. Not only was the film extremely well received by fans and over one billion US dollars at the box office. The spin-off even spawned the no less outstanding series Andor.
Eight years later, Disney is involved in a legal dispute. The reason: For the film, Peter Cushing, who died in 1994, was cast as the actor using archive material, digital effects, a double and AI technology. Grand Moff Tarkin This apparently contradicts a contract that the actor drew up before his death.
Star Wars aftermath: Peter Cushing’s posthumous appearance in Rogue One triggers legal dispute 8 years after the film’s release
Specifically, producer Kevin Francis and his production company Tyburn Film Productions are taking Lunak Heavy Industries, which is owned by Disney, to court. According to Tyburn, Cushing made an agreement with Tyburn Film Productions before his death that would give the studio all Rights to posthumous performances.
As the Times and the Telegraph report, Disney is arguing against the lawsuit because it is based on no solid basis When the deal between Francis and Cushing was made in 1993, neither the producer nor his studio had the means to bring the actor back after his death.
Disney, on the other hand, relies on the Use of archive materialwhich already belonged to Lucasfilm, the studio behind all Star Wars productions. In addition, before the film’s release, Disney agreed with Cushing’s family on a specified amount to enable the actor’s return.
The revived Peter Cushing in Rogue One is just the beginning: Hollywood is bringing back more and more dead stars
The trial has been looming for five years. Now Judge Tom Mitcheson has admitted the case, which is A stir in the industry After all, appearances of deceased stars through AI and co. are becoming an increasingly important topic in pop culture. The latest Alien film, Alien: Romulus, is the best example of this.
Here, too, a familiar face from an earlier film was brought back, although the actor died years ago – a tricky balancing act between technological progress, nostalgia and ethical discussions. Cushing and Tarkin were, in a way, a glimpse into Pandora’s box.