You turn to artificial intelligence. Going forward, any Star Wars projects that involve lines from Darth Vader will use an AI program from Ukrainian startup Respeecher to deliver them in Jones’ voice. According to CNN, the actor has officially signed off on Disney using this approach following the release of the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” show on Disney+.
Who’s stepping in for James Earl Jones as the voice of Darth Vader?
Answer: An AI.
Shutterstock/Stefano Buttafoco
We all know that the universe simply will not accept the voice of anyone other than James Earl Jones for the iconic Star Wars villain Darth Vader. So what do you do when Jones doesn’t want to record the dialog anymore?
You turn to artificial intelligence. Going forward, any Star Wars projects that involve lines from Darth Vader will use an AI program from Ukrainian startup Respeecher to deliver them in Jones’ voice. According to CNN, the actor has officially signed off on Disney using this approach following the release of the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” show on Disney+.
Jones was reportedly involved in the show, in which Vader appears, but he did not record any actual dialog. Instead, the team used Respeecher’s technology with his input and guidance, making sure that the technology got it right. The last line that Jones actually recorded as Darth Vader was his cameo in 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker.” From now on, though, it’ll be up to the computers to carry on his legendary timbre in the role.
You turn to artificial intelligence. Going forward, any Star Wars projects that involve lines from Darth Vader will use an AI program from Ukrainian startup Respeecher to deliver them in Jones’ voice. According to CNN, the actor has officially signed off on Disney using this approach following the release of the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” show on Disney+.
