Star Wars: Lucasfilm sued over digital reconstruction of Peter Cushing in Rogue One

Creators Villain 1: A Star Wars History were sued over the rights to the image of actor Peter Cushing, whose image was restored for the 2016 film.

Cushing, who died of cancer in 1994, played Grand Moff Tarkin in the original Star Wars, New hope 1977 film.

With the exception of a small animated cameo in the 2005 R film.revenge of the sith and the younger version of the character, voiced by Stephen Stanton, Tarkin has been largely unused in the Star Wars universe following Cushing’s death.

However, Rogue One decided to resurrect the character and Cushing’s likeness for the critically acclaimed prequel starring Felicity Jones and Mikkelsen. Guy Henry appeared as Cushing’s stunt double and voice, with the late actor’s face digitally reconstructed.

The same film also used a digital version of a younger version of Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia.

In 2017, John Knoll, who served as visual effects supervisor on Rogue One, said Cushing would have given the green light. “We didn’t do anything that I thought Peter Cushing would have objected to. I think that was done with a lot of love and care,” he said. Yahoo Movies.

Now, one of the oldest Cushings, Kevin Francis, claims that the actor never gave anyone permission to recreate his appearance using special effects without his prior consent. The pair have worked together on numerous films, including: Ghost, Legend of the Werewolf AND Death Masks.

He claims that Cushing and he made an agreement in 1993, before the actor died, as they were preparing to shoot the film. Legacy of Horror which was never completed.

Times announces that on Monday, September 9, Disney, the owner of the rights to Star Wars and the creator of Rogue One, failed to dismiss Francis’s claims of “unjust enrichment” in the Supreme Court.

Francis’ company, Tyburn Film Productions, also filed claims against Rogue One producers Lunak Heavy Industries, as well as Cushing’s agency and the executors of his will.

Lucasfilms filed a protest against the case, claiming that it did not need permission to reproduce Cushing’s image when New hope It was remastered in 1997, and $37,000 (£28,454.97) was paid to the artist’s estate to enable the use of his likeness.

After dismissing Disney’s appeal, Supreme Court Justice Tom Mitcheson said: “I am also not persuaded that the case is compelling to the extent required for summary judgment or dismissal.”

He added. “In an area of ​​developing law, it is very difficult to decide where the lines might lie unless a full factual investigation has been conducted.”