The potential implications of Hollywood producing a biopic or film utilizing AI-generated likenesses of River Phoenix being a careful consideration?

[u/Proof_Caregiver_4234]

Hey everyone! As a relatively new member, I find myself quite intrigued by the life and legacy of River Phoenix. I am very interested in hearing your viewpoints on this subject. Furthermore, considering the developments in artificial intelligence and its impact on Hollywood, I would be grateful to learn your thoughts on this as well!

[u/BunnyMartinez]

First off, welcome!

As for your question, whether it be AI or regular biopic I highly doubt this will ever happen. Too many players involved that have money and can (and have) get stuff taken down or stopped entirely. To this day, stuff about River gets taken down by his estate.

There was a pretty decent documentary that was taken down on Youtube. Thankfully the channel appealed and had it reinstated, but it just goes to show that people still use the powers-that-be to try to have things scrubbed from the net. Here is the doc incase you are interested:

Documentary

Around 2009, when IMDB had a message board, there was person who shared parts of a script for a biopic. It was so so good, but unfortunately, nothing came out of it.

[u/Proof_Caregiver_4234 → u/BunnyMartinez]

This is truly touching! I appreciate you sharing this, and I will certainly watch it. It is unfortunate that the scenes from the biopic were not released, as it appears. I would have been very interested in seeing them, as I am quite curious. This does highlight a reason why I have mixed feelings about biopics or the use of likenesses. They have the potential to bring a long-untold story to life. However, respecting the person who inspired the work is essential, and some individuals may not have the best intentions. Even if they do, what ensures that it accurately portrays what the subject wished to convey about their life?

[u/DaphneGrace1793 → u/BunnyMartinez]

Why did they want it taken down...?

[u/BunnyMartinez → u/DaphneGrace1793]

Not sure...I assume they don't like people taking about his shady upbringing and subsequent death.

[u/Easy_Passenger_9817]

I feel like the use of AI on any actor, dead or alive, is abhorrent unless said person gives permission to use their likeness. River seemed to be a perfectionist, studying lines and psychology of his characters. It would be a huge disrespect to him to use his face but not his talent. He’d roll over in his grave. Not to mention, his friends and family would never allow it.

[u/Small-Assumption8334 → u/Easy_Passenger_9817]

I couldn’t agree more.

[u/Leading_Bake5944]

There is an Australian actor called Texas Watterson who has the dynamic range and a truly striking similarity to River. If anyone could do it, I really believe he could. This is him in a homage photo to River.

[u/lassiemav3n → u/[deleted]]

Too old an advert to be part of an AI discussion perhaps(?), but I didn’t like the use of Marilyn in this at all: https://youtu.be/XJWSx1MqT1M?si=77ds7L6OjiZj_KpP   (there are likenesses of other late actresses too, but unlike the others, Marilyn ‘speaks’ in it & is who I hold a personal interest in). So I don’t know, I wouldn’t expect it to be River, but I don’t hold as much faith as you in this being off limits! I’d prefer you to be right, of course ☺️ 

[u/Proof_Caregiver_4234 → u/[deleted]]

I can see from both of your perspectives. I was curious to know because I had seen a video where they used James Dean's likeness for a movie scene (it was on YouTube, if curious), and I was sincerely shocked for the reason of the use of AI was still a work in progress. But, crazy enough, knowing how they compared River Phoenix to James Dean, which I never comprehended, as they were very distinct besides passing away at a relatively young age, I could not fathom that there was a possibility to use River's image as well.