The introduction of an AI-powered Darth Vader in Fortnite, voiced by the late James Earl Jones, ignited fury among Star Wars fans and Hollywood’s SAG-AFTRA union, with critics condemning the move as unethical “digital necromancy” and a violation of labour rights, according to Euronews.
Epic Games unveiled the Sith Lord as a non-playable character (NPC) this week, boasting that players could “strategise with the ultimate Sith Lord” using conversational AI.
Darth Vader has touched down once again as a boss in Battle Royale. Ask him all your pressing questions about the Force, the Galactic Empire… or you know, a good strat for the last Storm circle. The Sith Lord has opinions.
The studio emphasised that Vader “wouldn’t be nearly as sinister without the legendary performance of James Earl Jones” and shared a statement from his family:
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. 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.
Fans, however, rejected the justification. On Reddit, one user wrote:
It doesn’t matter if the family thinks it’s cool or not, it’s still disturbing to use a dead man’s voice for your kid’s shooter.” Another added, “Do you really think resurrecting dead people for monetary profit is going to stop here, especially with Disney?
The backlash intensified when players quickly manipulated the AI to make Vader utter homophobic slurs and profanities.
SAG-AFTRA files labour charge over AI “replacement”
The controversy deepened as the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) filed an unfair labour practice charge against Llama Productions, an Epic Games subsidiary, accusing it of using AI to replicate voices without union consent. The union alleged Llama Productions “failed and refused to bargain in good faith” and made “unilateral changes” to employment terms by replacing bargaining unit work with AI-generated voices.
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 union stressed support for members’ rights to control digital replicas but argued that studios cannot bypass negotiations. The dispute mirrors broader industry tensions, with actors and voice artists increasingly wary of AI encroachment.
While Epic framed the AI Vader as an innovative homage, critics warn it sets a dangerous precedent. As one fan starkly put it:
I will not partake in the act of Digital Necromancy and I will openly judge everyone who does. Shame on you all.
With SAG-AFTRA’s grievance pending and fan anger simmering, the clash highlights growing ethical and legal battlegrounds over AI’s role in entertainment.
