The uncanny valley of performers' likenesses is becoming less pronounced as technology advances and the use of AI becomes more prevalent. From the early days of CGI being used in place of an actor, with the family's consent, such as Nancy Marchand in The Sopranos, to Peter Cushing in Rogue One, the boundaries are being pushed. However, Robert Downey Jr. is taking steps to ensure he will never be digitally recreated, even after his death.
During a recent appearance on the On With Kara Swisher podcast, the Oscar winner made it clear that he intends to take legal action against anyone attempting to digitally clone him. "I intend to sue all future executives," he stated bluntly (via Variety). This includes any higher-ups who approve the creation of a Downey digital replica. Downey explained that he does not want his likeness used on-screen through AI technology or deepfakes.
Swisher pointed out that Downey would be dead, to which the actor replied: "But my law firm will still be very active." Downey also expressed confidence that Marvel or Disney would not attempt to use his likeness in the future, as he trusts the decision-makers at those companies. "I am not worried about [Marvel] 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," he said.
Downey recently made his Broadway debut in Bartlett Sher's McNeal, playing the titular Jacob McNeal. The production is a one-act play that explores corporate AI giants, artistic integrity, plagiarism, and copyright infringement. "I don’t envy anyone who has been over-identified with the advent of this new phase of the information age. The idea that somehow it belongs to them because they have these super huge start-ups is a fallacy," Downey added. "The problem is when these individuals believe that they are the arbiters of managing this but meanwhile are wanting and/or needing to be seen in a favorable light. That is a massive f---ing error. It turns me off and makes me not want to engage with them because they are not being truthful."
The actor is set to return to the MCU in 2026 after a seven-year hiatus, portraying the villain Dr. Doom in the upcoming Avengers films, Doomsday and Secret Wars.
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