Simon Kinberg’s Star Wars Should Avoid This Massive Mistake From the Other Movies

Simon Kinberg’s Star Wars Should Avoid This Massive Mistake From the Other Movies

As a devoted Star Wars enthusiast, spanning over four decades of my life immersed in this galaxy far, far away, I am thrilled to hear about Simon Kinberg taking the helm for a new trilogy. However, I must voice my strong opinion on one matter that has long troubled me – the use of CGI to revive deceased actors.


According to The Hollywood Reporter, Simon Kinberg is set to pen and produce a fresh Star Wars trilogy, featuring new narratives and characters rather than revisiting the Skywalker Saga. Given this new direction, the franchise might want to consider phasing out one longstanding practice that’s been met with varying success – resurrecting deceased actors using CGI. While technology continues to advance, it seems fitting for the company to make a bold move and reconsider this technique.

Over the past few years, the advent of “deepfakes” technology has given movie studios a remarkable ability to manipulate Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). This innovation ranges from making Tony Stark appear younger to bringing back Princess Leia in a more intricate process – they utilized footage that Carrie Fisher had previously recorded before her passing, enhancing her performance with CGI. Conversely, in “Rogue One”, they created an entirely digital version of the late Peter Cushing to portray Grand Moff Tarkin on screen, a character he played two decades after his demise.

This practice, which has sparked much debate for various reasons, is particularly crucial to steer clear of post-2023 Hollywood labor strikes. Notably, “Star Wars” has been a significant contributor to this issue so far, and it’s unfortunate because the series is often viewed as “nostalgia bait.” To improve its image and have a future in the industry, “Star Wars” should abandon these revivals.

It’s important to acknowledge the negative environmental impact associated with such technology as well. As per a report by NPR, the operation of artificial intelligence (AI) software requires an enormous amount of electricity and is contributing significantly to rising emissions levels. For instance, Google revealed that its greenhouse gas emissions increased by 48% in 2020 compared to 2019, indicating potential difficulties in reducing emissions as AI integration grows further within their products.

There are numerous valid arguments against bringing back deceased actors for new films, taking into account the feelings of their families, copyright issues, and some viewers’ discomfort. For instance, in the context of Star Wars, it’s not beneficial for the narrative progression. The series has faced significant criticism for rehashing old ideas, and resurrecting dead actors is an extreme example of this repetition. Similar to how fans desire the series to surpass Palpatine clones and destructive planetary weapons, they yearn to witness fresh characters embarking on novel journeys.

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2024-11-10 20:39