It’s receiving rave reviews, but the most touching part of Top Gun Maverick may be a star speaking again with the help of technology.
In a continuing push towards actors produced on screen through means of artificial intelligence, Val Kilmer will be appearing in the new Top Gun film releasing today. But unlike other situations in which it is the visual aspect of an actor needing production, Kilmer instead needed his voice back. According to Joseph Curl, the actor had been without his voice after a tracheotomy some years ago.
“A British artificial intelligence (AI) company has recreated the actor’s voice – with amazingly realistic results,” the Daily Mail reported. “London-based firm Sonantic used his voice recordings from throughout his career, which were fed to their AI to create the lifelike yet artificial mock-up.”
The new technology means Kilmer may be able to star in other movies and regain his voice in his personal life, too.
“Film producers could potentially use the tool – described as ‘Photoshop for voice’ – for voiceovers if they have a role in mind that would be suited to Val’s tones. Val himself is also able to use the AI tool in his personal life, to help him communicate, rather than relying on a voice box to speak,” the U.K. paper said.
The replication of an actor’s voice through sophisticated technological means is yet another way in which Hollywood will soon be able to restore completely the visage and tone of a character long-lost. We may be upon the precipice of seeing deceased stars return. It may be a Charlie Chaplin future ahead.
We have previously reported here that Stan Lee’s likeness (including his voice) have been purchased by Marvel. We have also recently revealed an alleged push inside The Walt Disney Company for inclusion of more CGI-restored characters with original actor appearances.
In the case of Val Kilmer, it would be hard to imagine how anyone could see this negatively. But the technology is in a more gray area when it comes to bringing back people who had no say in the matter and have been gone for years. We also don’t know how audiences will react in the long run to having actors’ likenesses return when the actor gave explicit permission to do so. We’ve seen how fans went crazy for the return of Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker but we don’t know if that will continue with the same enthusiasm should it extend to many other actors and characters for years to come.
What do you think about all of this? Let us know in the comments below! As for us, we’re happy Val Kilmer is able to speak again and happy for him as well. As always, That Park Place is your place for all the latest news that should be fun.
