Robert Downey Jr threatens to sue Hollywood executives over AI use of his image

Academy Award-winning actor Robert Downey Jr expressed his strong opposition to the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to recreate his likeness, particularly in the context of reviving his iconic character, Tony Stark aka Iron Man from the ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe’.

The ‘Oppenheimer’ star, during a conversation on ‘On With Kara Swisher’, joined Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar and Tony-winning director Bartlett Sher who explored the implications of AI in modern storytelling, reported ‘Deadline’. Asked about his feelings on deepfakes and AI technology, Downey said, “There’s two tracks. How do I feel about everything that’s going on? I feel about it minimally because I have an actual emotional life that’s occurring that doesn’t have a lot of room for that.”

Despite his concerns, Downey expressed confidence in the current leadership at ‘Marvel’, stating, “To go back to the MCU, I’m 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, with or without me,” ‘Deadline’ reported.

Swisher suggested that future executives may have different intentions, to which Downey responded humorously, “Well, you’re right. I would like to state that I intend to sue all future executives just on spec.” In a light-hearted manner, he added, “But my law firm will still be very active,” drawing laughs from the audience as Swisher compared him to Elvis Presley and his estate.

In addition to his concerns about AI, Downey discussed his investments in AI companies, emphasising the importance of ethical considerations. He stated, “It always comes down again to not the technology or the opportunity to line my pockets as much as, ‘Who are the people involved with this? Do I think they have a moral psychology? For what reason are they deploying this?’”

Currently, Downey is starring in ‘McNeal’ stage play, where he portrays a Nobel Prize-winning novelist who uses AI to write a new work. While the Lincoln Center Theater production has received mixed reviews, critics have praised Downey’s performance, as per ‘Deadline’.

Looking ahead, Downey is set to reprise his role in the MCU as Dr Doom in the upcoming films ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’.