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Disney is being sued for using CGI to resurrect Peter Cushing for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The actor, who played imperial commander Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars: A New Hope, died in 1994.
Per The Times, Tyburn Film Productions filed a lawsuit against Lunak Heavy Industries (UK) Ltd, a Disney-owned company that worked on Rogue One, over their use of Cushing's likeness in the 2016 Star Wars spin-off. The company claims it made an agreement with Cushing before his death, preventing the use of his likeness with special effects without their approval.
The legal proceedings against Lunak Heavy Industries and Lucasfilm, the studio behind the original Star Wars movies, began in 2019. According to the filing, Cushing, who passed away from cancer at 81, was digitally recreated by modifying the appearance of actor Guy Henry, who had previously appeared in the British medical drama series Holby City.
Lucasfilm Contested The Claim
Lucasfilm and Lunak Heavy Industries contest the claim, arguing that they didn't need permission to recreate Cushing's image under his original contract for A New Hope. Instead, they secured permission from the executors of Cushing's estate for a fee. The companies tried to have the lawsuit dismissed, but a judge rejected that motion in Dec. 2023.
As a result, Lucasfilm and Lunak Heavy Industries decided to appeal the decision in a London hearing in July 2024. However, in a ruling on Sept. 9, Deputy High Court Judge Tom Mitcheson KC rejected the appeal and said that the case should go to trial. The judge acknowledged that while he was "far from persuaded" that Tyburn Film Productions would win, the case wasn't "unarguable" and required a "full factual inquiry."
Directed by Gareth Edwards, Rogue One is a standalone movie in the Star Wars franchise, serving as a direct prequel to the events of A New Hope. The plot revolves around a group of Rebel spies who plan to steal the Death Star plans, which eventually allows the Rebel Alliance to destroy the Empire's super weapon in the original trilogy.
The cast includes Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso, Diego Luna as Rebel Captain Cassian Andor, and Mads Mikkelsen Galen Erso.Rogue One was a box office success, earning over $1 billion at the global box office as fans appreciated its fresh take on the galaxy's conflict, while still honoring the essence of Star Wars. Critics also loved the film, with praise for its gritty tone and visual effects.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is streaming on Disney+.
Source: The Times
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