Robert Downey Jr has vowed to pursue anyone who tries to hijack his persona for AI, whether he is dead or alive.
The 59-year-old Hollywood veteran stated his confidence that Marvel bosses would not use the emerging technology to bring back Tony Stark but added he would take legal action if such a situation materialized.
He was speaking during an appearance at the On with Kara Swisher podcast, when the looming specter of AI was raised.
Downey Jr featured as Tony Stark/Iron Man in 10 different Marvel titles between 2008 and 2019, as he explained his faith in the MCU bosses who he has built up a positive working relationship with, over the years at Marvel Studios.
It was recently confirmed he would return to the franchise to play the role of Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday.
Robert Downey Jr refuses to have an AI digital replica made for any projects — whether he's alive or not
"I intend to sue all future executives… my law firm will still be very active"
(via On With Kara Swisher podcast) pic.twitter.com/CQBE48tn6Q
— Marvel Multiverse (@MarvelMultive) October 29, 2024
“I intend to sue all future executives”
When asked to share his perspective on the rise of AI across the creative industries, he was initially reluctant to engage when he said, “How do I feel about everything that’s going on? I feel about it minimally because I have an actual emotional life that’s occurring that doesn’t have a lot of room for that.”
He was then asked for his thoughts on the resurrection of Tony Stark using AI, which he elaborated on.
“To go back to the MCU, I am not worried about them hijacking my character’s soul, because there’s like three or four guys and gals who make all the decisions there anyway, and they would never do that to me, with or without me.”
Pod host Swisher interjected to doubt Downey Jr’s assurance, opining “future executives certainly will” want to use his likeness once again. In response, he swiftly declared “And I would like to here state that I intend to sue all future executives.”
When she said this would likely happen after his death, he jovially added his law firm would “still be very active”.
The Oppenheimer star is the latest significant persona to voice his concerns and unease with the growing proliferation of AI and the ongoing issues within the wider industry.
Last week, SAG-AFTRA announced it had negotiated over 120 video games to new union contracts with AI protections, following a statement signed by thousands warning artificial intelligence companies against the unlicensed use of their work.
That came after California Gavin Newsom signed into law two bills that sought to protect actors and performers against unauthorized AI.
Image credit: Via Midjourney