Bruce Willis Denies Selling Digital Likeness For Deepfaking Projects
Photo 176310492 © Featureflash | Dreamstime.com
In a meta episode showing how deepfakes can get out of hand, Bruce Willis’ agent has refuted widespread reports suggesting that the A-lister is selling the rights of his “digital twin” to US deepfake firm Deepcake.
The Daily Mail purported that the actor could “still appear in movies after selling his image rights to Deepcake,” supposedly making him the first Hollywood celebrity to agree to such a deal. This was subsequently shared by news outlets like the Telegraph.
The concept of a VFX stunt double performing in one’s stead is especially notable with Willis, as his family had opened up about his aphasia diagnosis in March. The condition is caused by damage to the brain and impedes patients from properly processing and expressing language. As a result, Willis is stepping away from his acting career.
However, Willis’ team has now shared with media outlets like the Hollywood Reporter that the actor “has no partnership or agreement with this Deepcake company.”
Deepcake, too, tells publications that Willis’ image cannot be sold as, legally, it belongs to him by default. A spokesperson says “the wording” of its statements has been misconstrued by mass media. The incident proves that little is understood about laws surrounding deepfakes.
“What he definitely did is that he gave us his consent (and a lot of materials) to make his Digital Twin,” explains the representative, via the BBC.
In 2021, Deepcake created a series of mobile service commercials in Russia starring the digital likeness of Willis. It says future appropriations of his face are subjected to the actor’s consent.
[via Hollywood Reporter and BBC, cover photo 176310492 © Featureflash | Dreamstime.com]
