Producers sue Disney in U.K.

[Lightning]

There was some controversy many years ago about using likenesses of dead celebrities long before CGI became an issue. It wouldn't be a surprise to find this in some contract from the 1990s.

Back to the Future II and replacing Crispin Glover via makeup was the big one.

 

[drusselmeyer]

I was referring to John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart and others back in the 80s.

 

[joberg]

They scanned a life casting of his head then sculpted in the missing parts and opened the eyes. So technically that is his real face...mostly.

The Justice System, copyrights, IPs and others will have to be re-worked and re-thought. Lawyers will have a field day for sure.
As others have mentioned, where is the actor's likeness protection begins and where it ends?

 

[Mottrex]

I heard Peter was fine with his likeness being used but stipulated in his contract Any future depicted of Tarkin Had to be seen wearing comfy Slippers!

 

[Halliwax]

I’m no law expert… but once they make action figures, don’t you sign your likeness away?

 

[batguy]

I’m no law expert… but once they make action figures, don’t you sign your likeness away?

It's not that all-encompassing.

Look how many TV shows end up with substituted soundtrack songs on the DVD box sets. They had the rights to use the songs on TV broadcasts but not on home videos. There are so many technicalities to these contracts & rights.

 

[greenmachines]

It's not that all-encompassing.

Look how many TV shows end up with substituted soundtrack songs on the DVD box sets. They had the rights to use the songs on TV broadcasts but not on home videos. There are so many technicalities to these contracts & rights.

This is the norm. Most use rights are specifically defined for one purpose and often for only one run of that product, allowing for licensing fee increases on future runs. It is, or can be, different for every contract.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

I'm pretty sure for SW they all signed for Lucasfilm to use their likenesses, at least as their characters, in perpetuity.. Carrie Fisher has joked about paying Lucas whenever she looked in the mirror. I think the rub is whether it's still okay to do that after the actor has died.

 

[The Terminator]

They also brought back Tarkin for Episode III, using a mask and make up. A bit like the Back to the Future/Crispin Glover situation.

 

[drusselmeyer]

Are there any results from this??