LOS ANGELES (AP) — Robert Downey Jr. doesn’t think Marvel executives will ever recreate his portrayal of Tony Stark using artificial intelligence. But if they did, he would take legal action, he said, even posthumously.
On a recent episode of the “On With Kara Swisher” podcast, the Oscar-winning actor said he intends to “demand all future executives” use an AI-created version of his image. Speaking about his role as Iron Man, Downey said he doesn’t want his image to be recreated by AI technology.
“I’m not worried about them kidnapping my character’s soul because there are like three or four guys and girls who make all the decisions there, anyway, and they would never do that to me, with or without me,” Downey said.
Swisher noted that those executives would eventually be replaced.
“Well, you’re right,” Downey said. “I would like to state at this time that I intend to sue all future executives on a speculative basis.”
“You’ll be dead,” Swisher said.
Downey responded: “But my law firm will continue to be very active.”
Representatives for Marvel Studios and Downey did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The discussion comes amid the Hollywood video game performers’ strike, which began in July after more than 18 months of negotiations over a new interactive media deal with video game industry giants collapsed over the issue of protection measures against the use of artificial intelligence.
Leaders of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have called the issues behind the labor dispute — and AI in particular — an existential crisis for actors. Concerns about how movie studios will use AI were one of the main reasons behind last year’s film and television strikes by the union, which lasted four months. SAG-AFTRA finally signed an agreement that requires productions to obtain informed consent from the actors whose digital replicas are used.
Downey made his Broadway debut this month in “McNeal,” a one-act play by Ayad Akhtar that delves into themes of artificial intelligence, artistic integrity, plagiarism and copyright infringement. The 59-year-old actor plays the title character, Jacob McNeal, an acclaimed novelist whose battles with alcoholism and mental illness culminate in a pivotal moment in his career.
A SAG-AFTRA spokesperson said Downey has the right to deny any use of digital replicas in films because of a new California law that prohibits unauthorized replication of a deceased actor’s likenesses without prior consent. That law, signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in September, was pushed by the union.
Downey’s next role as Doctor Doom in “Avengers: Doomsday” will bring him back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2026.
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This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool.
