SAG-AFTRA is mad that Fortnite used AI for Darth Vader instead of hiring a human

SAG-AFTRA, a labor union representing actors and other talents across several mediums, has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Epic Games and Fortnite for its use of an AI version of Darth Vader.

Last week, Epic Games introduced a conversational AI version of the iconic Star Wars character, which responds to voice commands by players in Fortnite during its latest season themed around the sci-fi franchise. Darth Vader can join the player’s squad and then hold conversations with them, which leads to some interesting exchanges.

The guild says that Epic Games “chose to replace the work of human performers with A.I. technology” and it “did so without providing any notice of their intent to do this and without bargaining with us over appropriate terms.”

“We celebrate the right of our members and their estates to control the use of their digital replicas and welcome the use of new technologies to allow new generations to share in the enjoyment of those legacies and renowned roles,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement. “However, we must protect our right to bargain terms and conditions around uses of voice that replace the work of our members, including those who previously did the work of matching Darth Vader’s iconic rhythm and tone in video games.”

The estate of the late James Earl Jones, Darth Vader’s voice actor in the Star Wars films, was on board with the addition to the game, but SAG-AFTRA thinks that it should be included in the discussion for things like this moving forward.

“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,” Jones’ family said in a statement last week. “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.”

SAG-AFTRA says it represents “approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals.”