Downey Jr. plans to fight AI re-creations from beyond the grave

Robert Downey Jr. has declared that he will sue any future Hollywood executives who try to re-create his likeness using AI digital replicas, as reported by Variety. His comments came during an appearance on the "On With Kara Swisher" podcast, where he discussed AI's growing role in entertainment.

"I intend to sue all future executives just on spec," Downey told Swisher when discussing the possibility of studios using AI or deepfakes to re-create his performances after his death. When Swisher pointed out he would be deceased at the time, Downey responded that his law firm "will still be very active."

The Oscar winner expressed confidence that Marvel Studios would not use AI to re-create his Tony Stark character, citing his trust in decision-makers there. "I am not worried about them hijacking my character's soul because there's like three or four guys and gals who make all the decisions there anyway and they would never do that to me," he said.

Downey currently performs on Broadway in McNeal, a play that examines corporate leaders in AI technology. During the interview, he freely critiqued tech executives—Variety pointed out a particular quote from the interview where he criticized tech leaders who potentially do negative things but seek positive attention.

"I don’t envy anyone who has been over-identified with the advent of this new phase of the information age. The idea that somehow it belongs to them because they have these super huge startups is a fallacy," Downey told Swisher in the interview. "The problem is when these individuals believe that they are the arbiters of managing this but meanwhile are wanting and/or needing to be seen in a favorable light, that is a massive fucking error. It turns me off and makes me not want to engage with them because they are not being truthful."

Downey Jr. isn't the only actor to cast a negative eye toward AI replicas. Last year, SAG-AFTRA actors went on strike partly over AI rights issues, with union President Fran Drescher warning that "we are all going to be in jeopardy of being replaced by machines." The union fought against studio proposals that would let companies scan background performers for one day's pay and use their likenesses indefinitely. The strike ended in November 2023 with new protections for actor likeness rights in contracts with major studios.

While Downey plans to return to Marvel, he will not reprise his Iron Man role, Variety says. He will instead play Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film scheduled for 2026.