Hollywood Union Files Complaint Against Use of James Earl Jones’ Darth Vader Voice—Which He Sold Before His Death
SAG-AFTRA is swinging its lightsaber at Epic Games, filing an unfair labor practice charge over the use of an AI-generated Darth Vader voice in Fortnite, even though the late James Earl Jones sold the rights to his iconic voice before his 2024 death.
The union claims Epic replaced human performers with AI without negotiation, sparking a firestorm amid a broader video game strike focused on AI protections. Jones, who voiced Vader since 1977, signed over his voice rights in 2022 to ensure the character’s legacy, but the Fortnite implementation—complete with slurs and ethical controversies—has raised serious questions. Let’s unpack this galactic clash, explore Jones’ legacy, and see how it’s shaking up the industry’s AI debate.
SAG-AFTRA’s Complaint: A Battle Over AI and Labor Rights
SAG-AFTRA filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against Epic Games and its subsidiary Llama Productions, alleging they used an AI-generated Darth Vader voice in Fortnite that replaced human voice actors without proper union negotiation. This action violates existing labor terms, especially as it undercuts roles filled by union performers in games like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Battlefront II (2017).
The union's concern is part of a larger strike in the video game industry that began in 2024, aiming to secure AI protections for performers. Their deal with Narrativ that same year allowed actors to sell voice replication rights, but required minimum pay and union approval. Epic, according to SAG-AFTRA, allegedly bypassed both, setting off alarms throughout the industry.
James Earl Jones’ Legacy: From Vader’s Voice to AI Rights
James Earl Jones defined Darth Vader’s terrifying presence, beginning in A New Hope (1977), where he dubbed over David Prowse’s on-screen performance. Jones continued voicing Vader for decades, spanning films, TV shows, and games. In 2022, he officially retired from the role but signed over the rights to Lucasfilm to recreate his voice via AI, through a Ukrainian tech startup called Respeecher.
This agreement allowed Lucasfilm to use his voice for future projects, first implemented in Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022). Jones passed away in September 2024 at age 93, but not before granting permission to preserve the character's legacy. Fortnite's Darth Vader was created using Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash model for dialogue and ElevenLabs’ Flash v2.5 model for audio.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Epic also consulted Jones’ family to ensure consent. Despite this, the move still drew union scrutiny.
“James Earl felt that the voice of Darth Vader was inseparable from the story of Star Wars, and he always wanted fans of all ages to continue to experience it,” the family of James Earl Jones said in a statement. “We hope that this collaboration with Fortnite will allow both longtime fans of Darth Vader and newer generations to share in the enjoyment of this iconic character.”
Ethical Concerns: When Darth Vader’s Digital Ghost Goes Rogue
Beyond labor concerns, the ethical issues exploded when players discovered they could prompt Vader to curse, use slurs, and engage in inappropriate dialogue. This misuse turned Darth Vader into a digital liability and called into question how AI-controlled characters can be manipulated by users.
Epic responded by adding parental controls and reporting tools, and requiring consent for players under 13, but that hasn’t cooled the controversy. As @FleetingMinded put it on X: “It’s a bad look when greedy suits turn a legend into a gimmick.” The backlash highlights the fine line between preserving legacy and losing control of a performer’s identity.
Industry Reactions: Consent vs. Union Rules
Reaction to the union complaint has split the internet. @Grummz, who broke the story, argues Epic had permission from Jones’ estate and called SAG-AFTRA’s complaint a “consent meme.” @ASLPro_3D chimed in, saying "Estate approval trumps union negotiation," especially during a strike. But @TheRefinedPopulist pushed back, saying consent doesn’t always equal ethical clarity, especially when "contracts get signed under murky conditions."
Others, like @Kurgan2001, dismissed the controversy entirely, saying "SAG can go pound sand" while linking to a Forbes article confirming Jones’ legal voice rights transfer. This debate underscores a major divide: Does estate consent override labor rules? Or is this a slippery slope for AI usage?
Broader Implications: AI, Legislation, and the Future of Performers
This case is now a flashpoint for AI regulation in entertainment. SAG-AFTRA supports the NO FAKES Act, which was introduced in the Senate to create federal protections for voice and likeness. The union’s goal: ensure AI doesn’t erase performers from the creative equation. Their deal with Narrativ in 2024 set early standards, but enforcement remains unclear.
Fortnite’s AI Vader may just be the tip of the lightsaber, as more companies seek to monetize AI replicas of beloved characters. Without robust legislation or union oversight, actors risk losing control over their identities—even from beyond the grave.
News compiled and edited by Ivy Adams.
Sources:
ScreenRant, “SAG-AFTRA Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge Over Fortnite's AI Darth Vader Voice,” May 19, 2025The Hollywood Reporter, “AI-Powered Darth Vader James Earl Jones Voice Coming to 'Fortnite',” May 16, 2025
Forbes, “James Earl Jones Signed Over Rights For AI To Recreate Darth Vader’s Voice,” September 9, 2024
Reuters, “Hollywood union strikes deal for advertisers to replicate actors' voices with AI,” August 14, 2024
SAG-AFTRA, “SAG-AFTRA Applauds the Introduction of the NO FAKES Act,” accessed May 19, 2025
@Grummz, Post ID: 1924535324493152453, May 19, 2025
@ASLPro_3D, Post ID: 1924536341825786007, May 19, 2025
@TheRefinedPopulist, Post ID: 1924536152645673028, May 19, 2025
@FleetingMinded, Post ID: 1924536094563164366, May 19, 2025
@Kurgan2001, Post ID: 1924536779069079794, May 19, 2025