The entertainment industry is no stranger to legal disputes, especially when it comes to copyright infringement. A recent case involving the upcoming Road House remake has raised concerns about the use of generative AI to clone actors’ voices. The lawsuit, filed by screenwriter R. Lance Hill, accuses MGM Studios and Amazon Studios of violating copyright laws by using AI to complete the film during last year’s Hollywood strikes.
R. Lance Hill filed a petition with the US Copyright Office in November 2021 to reclaim the rights to the screenplay of Road House. Despite Amazon Studios’ acquisition of MGM’s film library, Hill claimed that the rights were set to expire in November 2023. However, the original deal between Hill and United Artists was defined as a “work-made-for-hire,” meaning that the studio owned the rights to the screenplay. Hill alleges that this clause was merely boilerplate and that Amazon ignored his copyright claims to rush production of the remake.
The lawsuit claims that Amazon Studios used generative AI to clone actors’ voices in order to finish the film during the Hollywood strikes. Hill argues that these “extreme measures” were taken without his consent and seeks a court order to block the release of the movie. The film is scheduled to premiere at SXSW on March 8th and stream on Prime Video on March 21st.
Amazon Studios has categorically denied using AI to replace or recreate actors’ voices in the film. Spokesperson Jenna Klein stated that the studio instructed the filmmakers not to use AI and that any use of AI would have been by the filmmakers during the editing process, not by the studio. Klein also emphasized that filmmakers were told to remove any AI or non-SAG AFTRA actors when finishing the film.
The legal battle over the use of generative AI in Hollywood has broader implications for the entertainment industry. As technology continues to advance, the line between creativity and copyright infringement becomes increasingly blurred. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how AI is used in filmmaking and the extent to which it can be used to manipulate actors’ voices without their consent.
The lawsuit filed by R. Lance Hill against MGM Studios and Amazon Studios highlights the challenges of protecting intellectual property in the digital age. The use of generative AI to clone actors’ voices raises important ethical and legal questions that need to be addressed. As the entertainment industry grapples with the implications of new technologies, it is essential to find a balance between innovation and respecting the rights of creators.
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