AI Darth Vader In 'Fortnite' Gets Formal Complaint From SAG-AFTRA

Video Games

May 20

Darth Vader has entered Fortnite as an interactive AI character using a voice model of the late James Earl Jones, and while it appears that this is in line with what the actor agreed to in 2022 regarding the use of his voice, the actor's union, SAG-AFTRA, was not consulted regarding this project. Though they respect and celebrate the right of their members and their respective estates to “control the use of their digital replicas and welcome the use of new technologies to allow new generations to share in the enjoyment of those legacies and renowned roles,” the union still must protect their “right to bargain terms and conditions around uses of voice that replace the work of our members, including those who previously did the work of matching Darth Vader's iconic rhythm and tone in video games.”

The signatory company for Fortnite, Llama Productions, replaced the work of human performers with AI without giving SAG-AFTRA any notice of intent and did not bargain with them. This is a critical sticking point during the current strike, as though Jones consented to his voice being used in future productions via AI voice cloning, this usage violates the labor agreement that Epic Games and Llama Productions are under.

This statement has been met with controversy, however. Some see this as SAG-AFTRA protecting workers’ rights, as there is a fear that this may set a “frightening precedent,” as voice actor Jsaking states.

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Good! I hope SAG wins the lawsuit. I am hearbroken and disturbed by the comments defending the use of A.I. in a situation like this. It is unethical and sets a frightening precedent. As a voice actor myself, I hope SAG-AFTRA wins the good fight.
— Jsaking11 (@Jsaking11) May 19, 2025

Voice actor Mike Cunningham also stated in a reply that the issue is replacing workers with AI while under a labor agreement.

No... they should not be able to replace workers with AI while in a labor agreement without contacting, discussing, or agreeing to such a change.

Hence the labor complaint. It isn't complicated.
— Mike Cunningham VO (@micunninghamvo) May 20, 2025

Still, others point out that Jones signed off on A.I. replication of his voice in 2022, and his family also gave Epic permission seemingly, though there is doubt over whether the late actor would have approved of his Darth Vader voice being used to say internet memes, swears, and racial slurs, as former Dead by Daylight lead artist Eric Bourdages states.

1. James Earl Jones gave permission to Disney, not Epic.

2. The permission granted did have specific rules in the contract. These rules were breached when the AI went off the rails & Vader ended up talking like a degenerate.

3. Everyone's putting words in a dead mans mouth.
— Eric Bourdages (@EZE3D) May 19, 2025

Some point out SAG-AFTRA's seeming hypocritical stance on this, as they recently made deals with AI voice bank companies regarding AI voice replication. Regardless, it seems Darth Vader's appearance in Fortnite has certainly caused a “disturbance in the force,” and hopefully, this issue will be resolved and ensure protections for actors.

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