Robert Downey Jr. won’t allow AI to replace him and has threatened legal action against anyone who tries it, even after he’s gone. Hollywood continues to experiment with AI as the innovative technology advances and becomes more reliable. AI also presents a threat to creativity in the entertainment industry and directors, writers, and actors have expressed concern about studios’ usage of the tool. Downey Jr., who played Iron Man in the MCU for 11 years, is the latest actor to share his thoughts, and he has a stark warning for Hollywood.
Downey Jr. is one of the most prolific and well-respected figures in the movie business, recently winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2023’s Oppenheimer. In a recent appearance on an episode of the On With Kara Swisher podcast, Swisher told the actor that “future executives” will try to recreate his likeness with AI after he’s gone. Downey Jr. warns these executives that his legal team will still be very active.
Well, you’re right. I would like to here state that I intend to sue all future executives just on spec…[after death] my law firm will still be very active.
What RDJ’s AI Comments Mean For The MCU
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’ll return in Avengers: Doomsday as Doctor Doom, the next central villain for the Avengers to fight. However, many still theorize he could return as Tony one day, whether in a flashback or as a variant from another universe. If he does return as Iron Man, it would have to be while he’s alive, as an AI recreation of Tony isn’t an option, nor should it be. Downey Jr. knows executives may think about recreating his likeness as Tony Stark, but he isn’t worried about Marvel doing it.
Downey Jr.’s comments suggest he isn’t concerned about Marvel pulling 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 think he’d be treated respectfully. Marvel is a studio many actors want to work with and if they didn’t try to recreate Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, they likely wouldn’t try to recreate Tony Stark.
Our Take On RDJ’s AI Comments
Every actor should keep their legal team alert
AI is becoming a big issue in Hollywood. While many studios do get permission from the actor’s families to recreate their likenesses, seeing a dead actor resurrected by deepfake technology has not escaped the uncanny valley feeling. For example, Christopher Reeve in The Flash looked awkward, and the effects ruined any type of tribute the movie wanted for the actor. The same can be said for Ian Holm, whose likeness was used to bring back Rook in Alien: Romulus.
The effects on Rook weren’t perfect, and it felt like a cheap way to invoke nostalgia from the audience. 50 years from now, AI technology will likely be much better, fixing these effects to the point where they look flawless. However, it will always feel gross when a deceased actor’s likeness is recreated and Marvel shouldn’t try to do it with Downey Jr.’s Iron Man. More actors should follow his logic and ensure their legacies aren’t tarnished by executives who want to dig up graves for gold.
