James Earl Jones, the legendary actor at the venerable age of 93, has carved an immortal artistic image for himself with his distinctive voice throughout his illustrious career spanning over six decades. On Monday, this superstar passed away, but his iconic voice continues to resonate in people's hearts.
Jones's acting career spanned both the silver screen and the stage, portraying a diverse range of characters from silent writers to proud kings. He won Tony Awards for his roles in "The Great White Hope" and "Fences." However, the most unforgettable roles are undoubtedly his dignified Mufasa in "The Lion King" and the menacing Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" series. These characters have left a profound mark on generations.
Image source note: The image was generated by AI, authorized by Midjourney
Jones's passing has drawn attention to a special aspect of his career: his agreement to use artificial intelligence technology to replicate his voice after bidding farewell to the role of Darth Vader. To recreate this classic character in the 2022 Disney+ series "Obi-Wan Kenobi," Skywalker Sound collaborated with Ukraine's Respeecher to achieve this goal using AI technology.
However, this decision has sparked concerns among voice actors, who fear that AI technology could reduce or even replace their job opportunities. This worry has impacted the entire industry, leading to a strike by SAG-AFTRA performers at the end of July after failed negotiations with major video game companies.
Jones's decision not only sparked a reflection on the value of voice performance art but also paved the way for establishing transparent AI protocols to ensure actors are fairly compensated when their voices are used. Voice actor Zack Alton praised Jones's involvement in replicating his own voice as "amazing." He stated that if gaming and film companies could grant each actor the same consent rights and compensation transparency as Jones, the current strike would not have occurred.
The strike by Hollywood video game performers marks the second in a decade. The striking members emphasize that they are not opposed to AI technology itself, but are concerned that studios might use it to replace them. Similar concerns were also a reason for the four-month strike in the film and television industry last year.
Jones overcame a childhood stutter and once said in an interview that he was grateful to be able to speak, as there was a time when he couldn't. He hoped his voice would be clear and distinct. In creating the role of Darth Vader, Jones tried to infuse more humanity and humor, but "Star Wars" creator George Lucas advised him to maintain a narrower range of expressions to fit the mechanized antagonist's physique.
As of now, neither Skywalker Sound nor Respeecher has commented on the matter. However, a sound editor from Skywalker Sound revealed that Jones had agreed to use archived recordings to continue Darth Vader's voice and guided the portrayal of Darth Vader in the Disney+ series like a "benevolent godfather."
Voice actor Brock Powell pointed out that permanently using the voice of an actor like Jones could reduce the demand for professional impersonators. This work provides many performers with steady employment, allowing them to recreate classic voices in video games, animated series, and other media. He warned that technological advancements might overlook ethical considerations.
Powell also mentioned that the use of AI could reduce the "originality" in acting, as new actors might lose the opportunity to take over and reinterpret roles. However, voice actor Crispin Freeman holds a different view, believing that although technology might replace voice-impersonated roles, it would not hinder future artists from breaking new ground in new roles.
SAG-AFTRA Interactive Negotiations Committee Chair Sarah Elmaleh noted that Jones's contract might set a standard for negotiating actors' image rights. She emphasized that these tools have the potential to be used for "meaningful, smart artistic decisions."
However, Alton raised a profound question: if Jones's voice is used for Darth Vader for the next hundred years, would people forget "all the elements that shaped this character"? He worries that this could lead to a weakening of art, becoming a topic worth deep consideration.
The passing of James Earl Jones is not only a huge loss for the acting community but also leaves us with profound reflections on the balance between technology and art. With AI technology advancing rapidly today, we need to seriously consider what the future of entertainment and art will look like. Is it about pursuing pure technological replication, or preserving humanized artistic creation? This question will continue to spark extensive discussions among the industry and the public.