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AI Darth Vader Voice in Fortnite Triggers Backlash From SAG-AFTRA
Last Updated: May 20, 2025
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Key Takeaways
- SAG-AFTRA claims Epic used AI to voice Darth Vader in Fortnite without union talks or notice;
- The union stated that using AI to replace past voice actors violates labor rules and fair bargaining rights;
- Epic says James Earl Jones’s estate approved the AI voice, but SAG-AFTRA wants broader union involvement.
The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA has alleged that Epic Games used artificial intelligence (AI) to recreate the voice of Darth Vader in Fortnite without proper notice or negotiation, according to a May 20 report by BBC.
The union said Epic Games’ subsidiary, Llama Productions, made this change without informing SAG-AFTRA or offering a chance to discuss the terms, which they believe violates labor rules.
The complaint, submitted to the US National Labor Relations Board, stated that Epic Games replaced voice performances done by human actors with AI-generated audio. SAG-AFTRA calls the company’s actions a failure to "bargain in good faith".
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SAG-AFTRA stressed that while it supports individual members or estates making decisions about their digital likeness, the union must still be involved when AI takes over roles previously done by its members.
It added that several voice actors had performed Darth Vader’s voice in games before, and their work should not be replaced without proper discussions.
Epic Games' new feature allows Fortnite players to give voice commands to Darth Vader and hear AI-powered replies in return. The company noted that the voice work was done with the approval of the late James Earl Jones’s estate.
It also attached a statement from his family, who said that Jones believed his voice was deeply tied to the character and "always wanted fans of all ages to continue to experience it". They added:
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.
Meanwhile, Meta and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, recently faced backlash from Jamie Lee Curtis. What happened? Read the full story.
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