Key Facts
Tom Hanks, the voice of Woody in the 'Toy Story' franchise, has expressed concerns that Disney could use artificial intelligence to recreate his voice for future installments like 'Toy Story 6.' In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Hanks acknowledged the possibility, calling it 'a scary thought.' The actor, who has voiced Woody for 31 years, noted that Disney has access to extensive recorded dialogue that could be manipulated by AI to generate new performances.
Details
Hanks returned as Woody in 'Toy Story 5,' which opened to a record-breaking $312 million worldwide. When asked about a potential sixth film, Hanks emphasized that any new entry must be 'worthwhile' and 'great,' not just a cash grab. However, he also recognized that Disney might not need his physical participation. 'Time is undefeated,' Hanks said. 'The question would be whether or not we could cobble together some version of me. Every word we have ever recorded in time in 'Toy Story' is on digital media somewhere, so they could put together anything they would want.'
Hanks and his co-star Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear) both find the idea unsettling. In a 2023 interview on 'The Adam Buxton Podcast,' Hanks discussed how AI and deepfake technology could allow actors' performances to continue indefinitely. He cited 'The Polar Express' (2004) as an early example of capturing an actor's likeness digitally. 'We saw this coming,' Hanks said. 'That has only grown a billion-fold since then and we see it everywhere.'
Impact
The potential use of AI to recreate actors' voices and likenesses raises significant artistic and legal questions. Hanks noted that AI could allow him to appear as a 32-year-old in future projects, blurring the line between reality and simulation. 'Anybody can now recreate themselves at any age they are by way of AI or deep fake technology,' he said. 'I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that's it, but performances can go on and on and on and on.' This technology presents both creative opportunities and challenges, particularly regarding consent and intellectual property.
What Readers Should Know
- Tom Hanks is open to returning for 'Toy Story 6' only if the story is compelling and fresh.
- Disney has the technical capability to generate Woody's voice using AI from existing recordings.
- Hanks and Allen view the AI recreation as 'a scary thought' but acknowledge its inevitability.
- The legal and ethical implications of AI-generated performances are still being debated in Hollywood.
FAQ
Can Disney use AI to recreate Tom Hanks' voice for Toy Story 6?
Yes, according to Tom Hanks, Disney has enough recorded dialogue of his voice as Woody over 31 years to use AI to generate new lines without his participation.
What did Tom Hanks say about AI and deepfake technology?
Hanks said AI and deepfake allow anyone to recreate themselves at any age, and performances can continue even after death, posing artistic and legal challenges.
Will Tom Hanks return for Toy Story 6?
Hanks said a sixth film should only be made if it's worthwhile and fresh. He hasn't confirmed his return, but Disney could use AI to recreate Woody's voice without him.
Source: variety.com