doesn91Ƶt think Marvel executives would ever recreate his portrayal of Tony Stark using artificial intelligence. But if they did, he would lawyer up 91Ƶ even posthumously.
On a recent episode of the 91ƵOn With Kara Swisher91Ƶ podcast, the Oscar-winning actor said he intends to 91Ƶsue all future executives91Ƶ who allow an AI-created version of him. Speaking about his role as Iron Man, Downey said he does not want his likeness recreated by AI technology.
91ƵI am not worried about them hijacking my character91Ƶs soul because there91Ƶs 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,91Ƶ Downey said.
Swisher noted that those executives would eventually be replaced.
91ƵWell, you91Ƶre right,91Ƶ Downey said. 91ƵI would like to here state that I intend to sue all future executives just on spec.91Ƶ
91ƵYou91Ƶll be dead,91Ƶ Swisher said.
Downey replied: 91ƵBut my law firm will still be very active.91Ƶ
Representatives for Marvel Studios and for Downey did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The discussion comes amid the Hollywood video game performers91Ƶ strike, which began in July after more than 18 months of negotiations over a new interactive media agreement with game industry giants broke down over protections.
Leaders of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have billed the issues behind the labor dispute 91Ƶ and AI in particular 91Ƶ as an existential crisis for performers. Concerns about how movie studios will use last year91Ƶs film and television strikes by the union, which lasted four months. SAG-AFTRA requiring productions to get the informed consent of actors whose digital replicas are used.
A spokesperson for SAG-AFTRA said that Downey has the right to deny any digital replica uses in film because of California91Ƶs new law prohibiting the unauthorized replication of a dead performer91Ƶs likenesses without prior consent. That law, signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in September, was sponsored by the union.
Downey made his Broadway debut this month in 91ƵMcNeal,91Ƶ a one-act play by that delves into themes of artificial intelligence, artistic integrity, plagiarism and copyright infringement. The 59-year-old actor plays the titular character, Jacob McNeal, an acclaimed novelist whose battles with alcoholism and mental illness culminate at a crucial juncture in his career.
91ƵI don91Ƶt envy anyone who has been over-identified with the advent of this new phase of the information age,91Ƶ Downey said. 91ƵThe idea that somehow it belongs to them because they have these super huge start-ups is a fallacy.91Ƶ
The podcast episode explored questions the play raises about truth and power in the age of AI, and whether there is a 91Ƶsocial contract91Ƶ related to the use of AI.
Downey91Ƶs upcoming role as Doctor Doom in 91ƵAvengers: Doomsday91Ƶ will bring him back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2026.