The movie industry and its loyal fans have a lot to say about the planned use of a digitally resurrectedJames Deanperformance.
Through the use of CGI technology, filmmakers are readying toreturn the iconic actor to the big screen— 64 years after his untimely death. Deandiedat the age of 24 in 1955 when he was involved in a head-on collision in California while driving his Porsche.
For the upcoming Vietnam War era filmFinding Jack, directors Anton Ernst and Tati Golykh secured the rights to Dean’s likeness from his family, casting him in a secondary role,according toThe Hollywood Reporter.
Several movie stars reacted to the announcement, mostly with distaste for the decision.
“I’m sure he’d be thrilled 🙄 This is awful,”tweetedCaptain America actorChris Evans. “Maybe we can get a computer to paint us a new Picasso. Or write a couple new John Lennon tunes. The complete lack of understanding here is shameful.”
“NOPE. this shouldn’t be a thing,”wroteLord of the RingsalumElijah Wood.
Playing the role of Rogan, Dean will be brought to life using head-to-toe visual effects drawn from existing footage and file photos, with another actor supplying his voice. The otherwise live-action film is slated for a Veterans Day release next year.
“We searched high and low for the perfect character to portray the role of Rogan, which has some extreme complex character arcs,” Ernst toldTHR. “And after months of research, we decided on James Dean.”
Dean completed three films before his death —East of Eden,Rebel Without a CauseandGiant— and received two posthumous Oscar nominations forEast of EdenandGiant.
“We feel very honored that his family supports us and will take every precaution to ensure that his legacy as one of the most epic film stars to date is kept firmly intact,” Ernst toldTHR. “… We do not intend to let his fans down.”
Offering a key perspective on the subject, actress Zelda Williams — daughter of the late Robin Williams — was appalled that the “industry would stoop this low.”
“I have talked to friends about this for YEARS and no one ever believed me that the industry would stoop this low once tech got better,” Williamstweeted. “Publicity stunt or not, this is puppeteering the dead for their ‘clout’ alone and it sets such an awful precedent for the future of performance.”
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Finding Jack, which is set to begin initial production later this month, could open the door to new possibilities in returning deceased stars to future Hollywood projects.
“This opens up a whole new opportunity for many of our clients who are no longer with us,” Mark Roesler, CEO of CMG Worldwide,toldTHR. The agency represents Dean’s legacy, as well as hundreds of other dead personalities, including Rock Hudson, Bette Davis, Burt Reynolds and Aaliyah.
Film critics also voiced their own worries and frustrations over what the new precedent could mean for the art form.
Aisha Harrisof theNew York Timescalled the filmmakers “uninspired” for treating Dean as “intellectual property,” and theDaily Mirror‘sCourtney Pochinwrote, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”
source: people.com
