James Earl Jones died last year, but it appears that his iconic voice will live on in a groundbreaking collaboration between The Walt Disney Co. and Epic Games.
Darth Vader in Fortnite: Voice Recreated with AI
Starting today, players of Fortnite will be able to recruit and speak to Darth Vader in the game. The character will use the unmistakable voice of Jones, re-created with the help of generative AI technology. This move has been made in “close consultation” with the late actor’s family.
The dialogue in Darth Vader’s responses will be powered by Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash model, while the audio itself is generated by ElevenLabs’ Flash v2.5 model.
Statement from Jones’ 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,” the family of James Earl Jones said. “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.”
The Future of Jones’ Voice in Media
The use of Jones’ voice in the game raises important questions about the future of AI-generated voices, particularly in the entertainment industry. Jones’ iconic roles include Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, leading to conversations about ensuring consent and permission from estates before using likenesses or voices in future media.
Generative AI Changing Entertainment
The collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the entertainment industry as generative AI is now being used to recreate voices. Previously, voice actors would mimic Jones’ distinctive tone for video games, but now the technology has advanced enough to generate his voice directly.
Transparency and Consent
“Epic Games and Disney have worked together to thoughtfully develop this innovative feature with a strong focus on transparency, consent, and safety — ensuring that creators, Disney IP, and players are protected in interactive experiences,” said Disney and Epic in announcing the partnership.
Player Consent and Safety Measures
Epic Games has implemented safety measures for younger players. According to an FAQ, players under 13 (or the age of digital consent in their country) will need permission to interact with Vader. Users will also have the ability to report anything said by the character, and the system will ensure that the audio generated will not be used to train AI models.
Impact on the Star Wars Universe
“James Earl Jones’ legendary vocal performance is a defining element of what makes Darth Vader one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history,” said Sean Shoptaw, Executive VP of Disney Games and Digital Entertainment. “Disney, Lucasfilm, and Epic Games are honored to bring his voice to Fortnite for millions of players to experience — showcasing how we responsibly embrace emerging technologies to expand storytelling while keeping people at the heart of the creative process.”
Excitement for Players
“We just launched the most expansive Star Wars collaboration Epic and Disney have ever done, and we are excited to introduce a new and immersive way for players to interact with a legendary Star Wars character,” said Adam Sussman, President of Epic Games. “Now players have a chance to chat in real-time with Darth Vader in Fortnite, one of the most memorable characters in cinematic history.”
Upcoming Star Wars Season in Fortnite
Disney and Epic Games are also partnering on a new Star Wars season of Fortnite branded “Galactic Battle.” In addition, Disney has debuted upcoming episodes of an animated Star Wars series inside Fortnite as part of the collaboration.
Disney’s Investment in Epic Games
Last year, Disney made a $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games with plans to build a new in-game universe featuring Disney IP. This project is still in development and will likely have more surprises in store for Fortnite players.
