Disney Sued for Using CGI to Resurrect Peter Cushing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The actor, who played Imperial commander Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars: A New Hopedied in 1994.

By The Times, Tyburn Film Productions has filed a lawsuit against Lunak Heavy Industries (UK) Ltd, a Disney-owned company that worked on Rogue Onebecause of their use of Cushing’s image in the 2016 film Star Wars spin off. The company claims to have reached an agreement with Cushing before his death, preventing the use of his image with special effects without their approval..

The lawsuits against Lunak Heavy Industries and Lucasfilm, the studio behind the original film Star Wars films, started in 2019According to the file, Cushing, who died of cancer at age 81, was digitally recreated by altering the appearance of actor Guy Henrywho had previously appeared in the British medical drama series Holby Town.

Lucasfilm disputed the claim

Lucasfilm and Lunak Heavy Industries contest the complaintarguing that they did not need permission to recreate Cushing’s image under his original contract for A new hope. Instead, they obtained permission from Cushing’s executors for a fee.The companies tried to get the complaint dismissed, but a judge denied that request in December 2023.

As a result, Lucasfilm and Lunak Heavy Industries have decided to appeal the decision at a hearing in London in July 2024. However, In a September 9 decision, Deputy High Court Judge Tom Mitchson KC dismissed the appeal and said the case should go to trialThe judge acknowledged that while he was “far from convinced” that Tyburn Film Productions would win, the case was not “indisputable” and required a “full factual investigation”.

Directed by Gareth Edwards, Rogue One is a standalone film in the The Star Wars Franchiseserving 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 plans for the Death Star, which ultimately allows the Rebel Alliance to destroy the Empire’s superweapon in the original trilogy.

The cast includes Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso, Diego Luna as Rebel Captain Cassian Andor, and Mads Mikkelsen as Galen Erso.Rogue One was a box office success, grossing over $1 billion at the global box office, with fans appreciating its fresh take on the galaxy’s conflict while still honoring the very essence of Star WarsCritics also loved the film, praising its brutal tone and visual effects.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is broadcast on Disney+.

Source: The Times