Dead celebrities 'brought back to life' as technology takes over
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The digital age has brought us many wonders, and the latest to capture our imagination is the resurrection of iconic voices from the past. Imagine settling into the spooky ambiance of Halloween with the ghostly timbre of James Dean narrating The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This isn't a scene from a sci-fi novel; it's a reality made possible by the innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI).
James Dean's tragic departure in 1955 left a void in the entertainment industry, but his legacy continues to thrive, thanks to his estate's partnership with AI voice-cloning startup ElevenLabs. As part of their 'iconic voices' project, the estates of Judy Garland, Laurence Olivier, and Burt Reynolds have also signed on, allowing these legendary actors to posthumously narrate books, articles, and other texts through the Reader app.
The use of AI is revolutionizing the dead celebrity industry, which has proven to be quite lucrative. For instance, despite Michael Jackson's significant debt at the time of his passing, his estate has since accumulated a fortune, largely due to projects like jukebox musicals and posthumous albums. But AI technology takes this a step further, enabling late artists like Jackson to potentially generate new art.
Intellectual property lawyer Mark Roesler, who has represented over 3,000 celebrities and brokered some 30,000 deals, has seen firsthand how technological advancements like AI can bolster the revenue of a celebrity's estate. With personal services revenue ceasing upon a celebrity's death, the focus shifts to intellectual property revenue, which can now increase rather than decline thanks to AI.
The potential of AI extends to the silver screen as well. Travis Cloyd, founder and CEO of Worldwide XR, has cast the late James Dean in the upcoming movie Return To Eden. Filmmakers now have the option to either hire an actor or create a digital human, a process that involves machine learning and a wealth of source material to develop a realistic digital model.
This technology isn't without controversy, as seen with the CGI appearances of actors like Paul Walker and Peter Cushing. The ethical debate intensified with a significant role for the late Ian Holm in Alien: Romulus, despite approval from his family and estate.
Hollywood's slow embrace of AI was highlighted by the actors' and writers' strikes in 2023, which brought the industry to a halt over various issues, including AI. However, the demand for AI-driven projects is expected to grow, potentially becoming a primary income source for celebrity estates.
One successful example is ABBA Voyage, a concert featuring virtual reality avatars of the Swedish pop group, which has been generating significant revenue. While the members of ABBA are still alive and collaborated on the show, the concept suggests that such CGI renderings could continue to profit their estates posthumously.
Not everyone is on board with AI's role in the entertainment industry. Jeff Jampol, who manages estates like Janis Joplin and The Doors, views AI as a passing trend and emphasizes the importance of authenticity, refusing to put words into Jim Morrison's mouth that he never spoke.
Similarly, Svana Gisla, co-producer behind ABBA Voyage, believes that AI cannot replace the emotional connection and artistry of live performances.
The true test of AI's capabilities may come with Elvis Evolution, an immersive biopic set to premiere in London, which aims to capture Elvis Presley's stage presence through hologram technology. The production, which relies on AI software and extensive source material, seeks to recreate the King of Rock 'n' Roll's performances with unprecedented authenticity.
As we navigate the intersection of technology and legacy, the question remains: can AI truly honor the artistry of the past, or does it risk diminishing the authenticity that made these icons unforgettable? Join the conversation and explore the full potential and implications of AI in the entertainment industry.
James Dean's tragic departure in 1955 left a void in the entertainment industry, but his legacy continues to thrive, thanks to his estate's partnership with AI voice-cloning startup ElevenLabs. As part of their 'iconic voices' project, the estates of Judy Garland, Laurence Olivier, and Burt Reynolds have also signed on, allowing these legendary actors to posthumously narrate books, articles, and other texts through the Reader app.
Some of the 'revived' voices were of James Dean and Elvis Presley among others. Image Credits: Wikipedia
The use of AI is revolutionizing the dead celebrity industry, which has proven to be quite lucrative. For instance, despite Michael Jackson's significant debt at the time of his passing, his estate has since accumulated a fortune, largely due to projects like jukebox musicals and posthumous albums. But AI technology takes this a step further, enabling late artists like Jackson to potentially generate new art.
Intellectual property lawyer Mark Roesler, who has represented over 3,000 celebrities and brokered some 30,000 deals, has seen firsthand how technological advancements like AI can bolster the revenue of a celebrity's estate. With personal services revenue ceasing upon a celebrity's death, the focus shifts to intellectual property revenue, which can now increase rather than decline thanks to AI.
The potential of AI extends to the silver screen as well. Travis Cloyd, founder and CEO of Worldwide XR, has cast the late James Dean in the upcoming movie Return To Eden. Filmmakers now have the option to either hire an actor or create a digital human, a process that involves machine learning and a wealth of source material to develop a realistic digital model.
This technology isn't without controversy, as seen with the CGI appearances of actors like Paul Walker and Peter Cushing. The ethical debate intensified with a significant role for the late Ian Holm in Alien: Romulus, despite approval from his family and estate.
Hollywood's slow embrace of AI was highlighted by the actors' and writers' strikes in 2023, which brought the industry to a halt over various issues, including AI. However, the demand for AI-driven projects is expected to grow, potentially becoming a primary income source for celebrity estates.
One successful example is ABBA Voyage, a concert featuring virtual reality avatars of the Swedish pop group, which has been generating significant revenue. While the members of ABBA are still alive and collaborated on the show, the concept suggests that such CGI renderings could continue to profit their estates posthumously.
Not everyone is on board with AI's role in the entertainment industry. Jeff Jampol, who manages estates like Janis Joplin and The Doors, views AI as a passing trend and emphasizes the importance of authenticity, refusing to put words into Jim Morrison's mouth that he never spoke.
Similarly, Svana Gisla, co-producer behind ABBA Voyage, believes that AI cannot replace the emotional connection and artistry of live performances.
The true test of AI's capabilities may come with Elvis Evolution, an immersive biopic set to premiere in London, which aims to capture Elvis Presley's stage presence through hologram technology. The production, which relies on AI software and extensive source material, seeks to recreate the King of Rock 'n' Roll's performances with unprecedented authenticity.
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