On Monday, Hammer Films’ latest documentary, Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters, had its world premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square in London, bringing together horror icons and dedicated fans in celebration of the legendary studio’s 90th anniversary. The premiere offered an exclusive preview of the documentary, which will officially air on Sky Arts this Halloween at 9 pm, promising horror enthusiasts an inside look at the iconic British studio’s storied past and its enduring impact on the genre.

The red carpet was graced by Hammer’s beloved stars, including Caroline Munro (Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter), Madeline Smith (The Vampire Lovers), and Martine Beswick (One Million Years B.C.), who reminisced about their time with the studio that defined gothic horror for generations. Joining them was the film’s narrator, the acclaimed Charles Dance OBE, whose storied career and commanding voice bring depth to the documentary’s rich history.

Guests were also...

Hammer: Heroes, Legends, and Monsters is set to offer a unique tribute to legendary actor Peter Cushing, best known for his roles as Grand Moff Tarkin in George Lucas’ Star Wars. Having played roles like Van Helsing and Baron Frankenstein in Hammer Films’ Dracula and Frankenstein series, the documentary is set to deliver a special treat for fans and audiences.

Peter Cushing || Credit: Columbia Pictures

Charles Dance, Tywin Lannister from Game of Thrones, will be narrating this documentary, which is produced by Deep Fusion Films, a company specializing in the use of artificial intelligence in film. While this might be a novel approach to documentary filmmaking, the creative film space is not devoid of the use of artificial intelligence, having done so in films like Rogue One and shows like The Mandalorian.

This ain’t Peter Cushing’s first rodeo with AI Cushing as Tarkin in Star Wars: Rogue One,...

A new documentary celebrating the 90-year history of Hammer Film Productions will include a digitally recreated performance of beloved British actor Peter Cushing. The Sky Arts special, titled “Hammer: Legends, Monsters, and Heroes,” examines the studio’s evolution from modest beginnings to prominence in the horror genre.

Cushing, who passed away in 1994, is best known for his roles in Hammer Films such as Baron Victor Frankenstein and Van Helsing. As a central figure to Hammer’s success, producers saw including him as crucial to accurately telling the studio’s story. Deep Fusion Films obtained permission from the Cushing estate to generate his likeness through artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

The documentary, narrated by actor Charles Dance, features insights from renowned directors like Tim Burton, John Carpenter, and Joe Dante. It chronicles Hammer’s rise from a small London office to renowned horror studio. Cushing’s AI appearance aims to honor his...

I’m honestly a little shocked that we’re already at the end of October, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to stop watching horror movies! If you’re looking for some recommendations, particularly of the vampire variety, horror maestro James Wan has shared a list of some of his favourite vampire movies to celebrate the release of ‘Salem’s Lot on Max.

Check out the list of 15 of James Wan’s favourite vampire movies below!

Bram Stoker’s Dracula The Night Stalker (1972) Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter Vampire Circus Vampire Lovers Horror of Dracula Salem’s Lot (1979) Dracula (1931) Nosferatu (1922) Interview with the Vampire Near Dark Fright Night Blade Subspecies II Planet of the Vampires

As a big fan of Hammer Horror, it’s great to see a few of their iconic vampire movies on this list. Horror of Dracula is a particular favourite. You just can’t beat Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.

A new documentary about Hammer reportedly features Peter Cushing’s AI-generated likeness, a month after a similar case against Disney was ordered to trial.

In what lawyers everywhere must be considering ‘a bold move’, a documentary due to air on Sky this Halloween will use AI to recreate the likeness of Peter Cushing.

Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters has been described by Sky as “a powerful and poignant reveal of Hammer royalty,” featuring a “special homage” to the late actor, who died in 1994.

Director Ben Field – who also runs production company Deep Fusion – said including the deepfake “allows the project to honor the spirit and impact he [Cushing] had on the studio and its fans.” Deep Fusion recently announced its involvement in a world-first podcast hosted by a replication of chat show legend Michael Parkinson, who passed away just last year, a project everyone involved should feel very good and pleased about.

Although Peter Cushing has already been digitally re-created for a posthumous role in Rogue One, Deadline is now reporting that the iconic actor will have his likeness regenerated again with the help of AI. This time, he will be featured in a Halloweentime documentary, Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters, on Sky. Cushing was a regular in the Hammer horror films, which included new adaptations of classic monsters, such as Dracula and Frankenstein.

Sky said it is part of presenting “powerful and poignant reveal of Hammer royalty” and they are doing this as a “special homage” to Cushing. Ben Field, who runs the production company, Deep Fusion, said the project had secured all necessary permissions. He stated that this decision was to show how Cushing is “tied to his significance to the Hammer legacy.” He added, “As a figure central to Hammer’s success, Cushing’s presence is crucial to telling the story authentically.

Robert Downey Jr. isn’t someone who shies away from sharing his brutally honest thoughts on a tricky subject matter. Recently, he confessed to wishing Elon Musk controlled his behavior slightly more. Now, the Iron Man star’s thoughts on artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming widely popular.

Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man 3 — Official Trailer | Credit: Marvel Studios

The Oscar winner went as far as to threaten future Marvel executives with a lawsuit if they ever dared recreate his iconic MCU character using an AI likeness of him. Along the same lines, Downey Jr. also candidly confessed why he stays away from engaging with AI companies in any way.

Real Reason Robert Downey Jr. Despises AI Companies

Robert Downey Jr. was confronted with some pressing questions during his recent appearance on “On With Kara Swisher” podcast. Most importantly, this new interview made the Avengers: Endgame legend’s feelings about...

Archive recordings of the late Christopher Lee will be used to voice Saruman in this year’s animated film, The Lord Of The Rings: War Of The Rohirrim.

The late, great Christopher Lee played many iconic roles in his incredible career, including an excellent late career flourish as Saruman, the evil wizard who opposes the heroes of Middle-earth in Peter Jackson’s beloved adaptation of Jrr Tolkien’s The Lord Of The Rings.

With his glowering eyes and brash arrogance, Lee brilliantly portrayed the human face of evil in the trilogy, embodying and humanising the corrupting forces of darkness and offering a pitch-perfect foil to Ian McKellen’s Gandalf. With news recently emerging that McKellen is set to return as Gandalf in at least one new live action Lord Of The Rings film, it’s lovely to hear that Lee will also be reprising his role as the villainous Saruman one more time,...

Exclusive: Fans of Peter Cushing are in for a Halloween treat, with the iconic Frankenstein star the latest to be resurrected by AI.

In Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters, a Sky doc airing in two days’ time, viewers will be treated to a “powerful and poignant reveal of Hammer royalty,” Sky said, with what is being described as a “special homage” to Cushing.

Cushing, who died in 1994, played Doctor Van Helsing in five Dracula films and Baron Frankenstein in six movies from that franchise. He will be the latest celebrity given the AI resurrection treatment. Yesterday, the doc’s producer Deep Fusion Films unveiled a “world first” podcast hosted by a replica of the late chat show presenter Michael Parkinson.

Narrated by Charles Dance, the doc is celebrating Hammer Films’ 90th birthday and will track its progression from a back office in London’s Regent Street to its iconic status within the horror film genre.

Has there been a more unlikely series of horror films than the V/H/S franchise? By the very nature of the sub-genre, anthology films don’t typically lend themselves to being series as even the segments within their own movies are almost always unrelated. Sure, TV has found a way to make it work in things like American Horror Story from Ryan Murphy or the criminally underrated Channel Zero that ran 4 seasons. Side note, if you have Shudder, please go check out Channel Zero. There are exceptions of course with The ABCs of Death or the Creepshow series but most of them are one and done. You also have nonrelated ones that use the same actors and directors like the wonderful things Amicus films was doing opposite Hammer in the 60s and 70s but again, these weren’t sequels at all. V/H/S has defied all odds and with a new film having just been released,...

This November, horror lovers will converge on the iconic Brighton Pier for a night of terror, thrills, and cinema history. Hosted by the Catalyst Club in collaboration with Cinecity, Horror on the Pier promises a unique celebration of horror films in one of the most atmospheric locations imaginable. Perched over the dark waters of the Channel and overlooking the eerie Horror Hotel, the event is set to take place on Thursday, 14 November at Horatios Bar.

Emily Booth, beloved TV presenter and actress known for her roles in cult films like Cradle of Fear and her work on Shock Movie Massacre, will lead the charge. Following the success of her recent Friday the 13th event in Hastings, Booth returns to Sussex to guide audiences through a personal journey into the world of black-and-white horror. With her infectious enthusiasm for the genre, Booth will offer an intimate look at some of the...

Since 1997, Days of Our Lives’ resident mad scientist, Dr. Wilhelm Rolf, has been on hand to resurrect the dead, brainwash Salemites, and more. Originally played by William Utay, the part was later recast in 2022 with Richard Wharton as the devious doctor. If either iteration of the demented scientist seems familiar, that’s probably because he resembles a character actor who starred in several horror classics.

A Puppet Master Like Dr. Rolf

Guy Rolfe was a British actor who appeared in films since 1937 and starred in several classics, including Ivanhoe (1952), The Barbarians (1960), and King of Kings (1961). But it was his role as the title character in William Castle’s Mr. Sardonicus in 1961 that made horror fans take notice. In the film, he played a man whose face froze in a creepy and disturbing grin.

He appeared in several subsequent TV shows, including The Champions (1968), which starred General Hospital’s Stuart Damon...

On Friday 18 October 2024, Talking Pictures TV broadcasts Cellar Club with Caroline Munro!

Intro – World of Hammer Ep1 Season 1 Episode 378 Episode Summary

In the upcoming episode titled “Intro – World of Hammer Ep1” of “Cellar Club with Caroline Munro,” airing on Talking Pictures TV, viewers are invited to join Caroline Munro as she explores the fascinating world of Hammer Films. This episode marks the beginning of an exciting series that focuses on the extensive career of iconic Hammer star Peter Cushing.

Caroline Munro, known for her own contributions to the film industry, will guide audiences through the rich history of Hammer Films, shedding light on the impact and legacy of Peter Cushing. As a beloved actor known for his roles in horror classics, Cushing’s work continues to captivate fans, and this series will provide a deeper understanding of his career and influence.

With engaging discussions and insights into the world of Hammer,...

Alvin Rakoff, the Canadian-born filmmaker who directed Laurence Olivier in A Voyage Round My Father, has died. He was 97.

His death was confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter by his longtime publicist, Nick Pourgourides. He passed away on Oct. 12 surrounded by family at home in Chiswick, a neighborhood in London.

Rakoff as a writer, director and producer of over 100 TV, film and stage productions, as well as novels, directed Olivier and co-stars Alan Bates and Jane Asher in the 1982 TV drama A Voyage Round My Father, a film written by John Mortimer and which earned the director his second Emmy Award.

Alvin and Olivier also worked together on Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson and A Talent for Murder, both shot in 1983. The two-time Emmy Award winner also gave a young Sean Connery his first leading role in the 1957 film Requiem for a Heavyweight, and Alan Rickman as a young actor was...

Alvin Rakoff, the veteran Canadian filmmaker best known for pics like the 1982 feature A Voyage Round My Father starring Laurence Olivier, died in Chiswick, London, October 12 surrounded by his family. He was 97.

Rakoff’s former personal agent confirmed the news with Deadline this morning.

Born on on February 6, 1927, in Toronto Rakoff was the third of seven children. After graduating from the University of Toronto with a psychology degree, Rakoff spent time as a news reporter. His first job as a writer was with the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC), which later sponsored Rakoff to visit the UK. Within days of arriving, he sold his first fiction script to the BBC. He was soon invited to join the BBC’s director’s training course and, the following year at the age of twenty-six, Rakoff became the youngest producer/director in the BBC drama department.

As Rakoff once recalled: “I trained at the BBC as a director-producer.

Canadian director, writer and producer Alvin Rakoff, best known for directing Laurence Olivier in “A Voyage Round My Father,” has died at the age of 97.

The cause of death was “old age,” his publicist told Variety. He died on Oct. 12 at home, surrounded by his family.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, which began when television was still only available in black-and-white, Rakoff was involved in over 100 television, film and stage productions as well as writing novels. According to his representatives, he was still working into his ’90s.

Rakoff was the third of seven children born to Sam and Pearl Rakoff in Toronto in 1927. His parents owned a dry goods shop but the director grew up in poverty after the Great Depression hit in 1929. He would later recount the experience in his novel “Baldwin Street.”

After seeing his first film in a theater at the age of 6, his...

“Cellar Club with Caroline Munro” is back with an exciting new episode titled “Intro – World of Hammer Ep1.” This episode, airing on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 9:00 Pm on Talking Pictures TV, promises to be a treat for fans of classic horror and cinema. Caroline Munro, the beloved host, returns to guide viewers through the fascinating world of Hammer Films.

In this episode, Caroline will explore the impressive career of Peter Cushing, one of Hammer’s most iconic stars. Known for his remarkable performances in horror classics, Cushing’s contributions to the genre are celebrated. The episode will delve into his roles, showcasing how he became a legend in the film industry and a favorite among fans.

Viewers can expect a mix of archival footage, insightful commentary, and engaging stories that highlight Cushing’s impact on Hammer Films. This journey into the past will not only entertain but also educate those...

Moff Gideon has been the main villain across all three seasons of The Mandalorian, and it's hard to imagine how the story will continue without him.

Giancarlo Esposito is also one of the few remaining actors on the show who has been there since Season 1. While the actor seems keen on returning as Gideon, he insists he has no idea what creator Jon Favreau is planning. While speaking at his panel at LA Comic Con, Esposito chronicled his journey to becoming Moff Gideon, which means as much to him as the role.

According to People, Esposito shared where he got the inspiration for the role, and it turns out the actor looked at the work of Star Wars heavyweights, including the late James Earl Jones and Peter Cushing. He says he found Cushing's performance as Grand Moff Tarkin "very interesting," but it's Earl Jones' Darth Vader that gave Esposito a...

Featuring: Peter Serafinowicz, Peter Jackson, Joe Dante, John Landis, Caroline Munro, Paul Maslansky, Jonathan Rigby, Harriet Walter, Juan Rodriguez | Written and Directed by Jon Spira

The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee, written and directed by Jon Spira, is a look at one of the most iconic, versatile and conversely underrated actors in the genre.

Narrated by a marionette of the late actor, voiced quite convincingly by Peter Serafinowicz the film starts with a quick overview of Lee’s heritage and formative years that included he and his mother being abandoned by both his father and stepfather. Interviews with his niece, an award-winning actress in her own right, talk about how this influenced both his personality and the direction his life would take.

The part he played in World War II is covered as well. Although there are no new revelations of his still-classified work tracking down war criminals. Work...

On Monday 23 September 2024, Talking Pictures TV broadcasts The Writing on the Wall!

Season 1 Episode 4 Episode Summary

A new episode of *The Writing on the Wall* is set to air on Talking Pictures TV, featuring the charming host Mike Read as he embarks on an intriguing journey to uncover the stories behind Blue Plaques. These plaques commemorate notable figures and their contributions to history, culture, and the arts.

In this episode, Mike Read highlights a range of well-known personalities, including iconic figures like Peter Cushing, Caroline Munro, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Oscar Wilde. Each segment promises to shed light on their lives and achievements, giving viewers a deeper understanding of their significance. From actors to writers, the episode will celebrate the rich tapestry of talent that has shaped society.

With fascinating stories and historical insights, this episode of The Writing on the Wall invites viewers to appreciate the legacy of these...

There's a current Hollywood trend that is wholly disturbing. Many major studios -- but primarily Disney -- have been spending millions of dollars and hiring hundreds of effects technicians, animators, and designers to digitally resurrect dead actors to include in their franchise movies. The film "Alien: Romulus" did this recently, while the movies "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" and "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" hired actors Guy Henry and Bob Gunton to portray characters previously played by the late Peter Cushing and Harold Ramis before digitally altering them to resemble their predecessors. While Cushing's estate and Ramis' family signed off on this, it's still different from a living actor giving their consent to be digitally altered, like Jeff Bridges did for "Tron: Legacy."

The first example of digital grave robbing likely came in 2004 with the release of Kerry Conran's "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," which featured a digital performance...

In the upcoming episode titled “The Writing on the Wall,” Mike Read dives deeper into his quest to uncover the stories behind the iconic Blue Plaques. This episode, which airs at 5:15 Pm on Monday, September 23, 2024, on Talking Pictures TV, promises to be both entertaining and informative. Mike’s journey takes him to notable locations linked to famous figures, bringing history to life in a unique way.

Viewers can expect to hear about legendary names such as Peter Cushing, the beloved actor known for his roles in classic horror films. Caroline Munro, another star featured in this episode, made her mark in the film industry, captivating audiences with her performances. The episode also highlights the contributions of literary giants like Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde, whose works continue to resonate today.

As Mike Read explores these historical landmarks, he shares fascinating anecdotes and insights. Each Blue Plaque tells a story,...

The Star Wars community is still grieving the loss of James Earl Jones, the legendary voice of Darth Vader, who passed away on September 9 at the age of 93.

Jones voiced Darth Vader in several films and television series and was involved in everything from A New Hope to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars Rebels. Most recently, when Lucasfilm brought Darth Vader back in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, Jones confirmed that he's stepping back from actively voicing Vader for future Star Wars projects. However, the voice of Darth Vader in the series belongs to Jones.

Jones struck a deal with Ukrainian startup Respeecher, as we reported in 2022, which allowed Respeecher to use archival recordings of Jones' voice to recreate it using AI for Obi-Wan Kenobi. Thanks to the deal, Jones was able to retire from the franchise, but fans could enjoy new dialogues from Vader in the series,...

James Earl Jones’ iconic voice was among his many gifts as a performer. With the actor having died this week at 93, it remains to be seen whether that voice could appear in new projects, particularly from the Star Wars franchise.

One of Jones’ signature roles was providing the voice of Darth Vader, which he originated in 1977’s Star Wars and continued throughout the initial trilogy before reprising the character in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and 2019’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Although Jones was not involved in the 2022 Disney+ series Obi Wan-Kenobi, his voice was used, with Skywalker Sound editor Matthew Wood telling Vanity Fair at the time that the actor had quietly retired from the role but signed over rights to his archival voice work.

Jones made the deal with Ukrainian startup Respeecher, which used AI to cull through audio from his early Darth Vader...

Audiences were surprised when 2016's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story featured Grand Moff Tarkin. Not because he didn't belong there, but because special effects showed the face of Peter Cushing, who passed away over 20 years prior to the film's release.

According to a recent lawsuit, Disney never asked permission to use Cushing's likeness in the film. Allegedly, Cushing's contract led Lucasfilm to believe it did not need to seek approval to recreate the actor's presence on-screen. The lawsuit claims, per a deal made directly with Cushing, permission was legally needed.

The news of the lawsuit has sparked a much bigger conversation about whether or not the use of someone's likeness—with permission or otherwise—is ethical. Film studios are increasingly using all kinds of technology to "de-age" actors and essentially bring people back from the dead.

This doesn't even count the growing use of AI to create images, even videos,...

Disney brought back Peter Cushing’s Grand Moff Tarkin for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. It was the worst technological decision in Star Wars since Jar Jar Binks. Worst of all, the inclusion of Grand Moff Tarkin was painfully unnecessary.

Peter Cushing’s Grand Moff Tarkin served his purpose in ‘Star Wars’ a long time ago

For many years, Cushing was primarily known as a horror movie star who appeared in productions by a British studio called Hammer Films. Then, he played Grand Moff Tarkin in the original Star Wars. Millions of people now know him from that film and that film alone.

Enter Disney. They made a film set just before the original Star Wars and decided to make Grand Moff Tarkin a character in it. In an earlier time, Hollywood would have just hired a different actor to play him. After all, plenty of Star Wars characters...

The vampire subgenre has been at the forefront of horror for over 100 years, and the myths of undead creatures living off of human blood go back countless years further. The best vampire movies ever made are, mostly, incredibly varied. There’s a whole lot of great “Dracula” movies out there, sure, but also art-house nightmares, mainstream action movies, silly comedies, Neo-westerns, heartwarming romances and more. And if you ask us, these are the very, very best.

(Film Arts Guild) “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror” (1922)

F.W. Murnau’s eerie silent classic is 100 years old, and it still has the power to shock and horrify. Telling an extremely plagiarized version of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” – Stoker’s estate successfully sued, and nearly had every single copy of “Nosferatu” destroyed – the film stars Max Schreck as the verminous Count Orlok, who moves from his haunted castle to Germany, and brings a supernatural plague along with him.

A High Court in London, UK has ruled Tyburn Film Productions can proceed with a lawsuit against Disney/Lucasfilm, in a case of ‘digital necromancy’, for using late actor Peter Cushing's CG likeness in the 2016 feature “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”:

“…introduced in the ‘Star Wars’ feature ‘A New Hope’ as ‘Grand Moff Tarkin’, Industrial Light & Magic used advanced computer-generated technology to ‘resurrect’ the dead Cushing for several scenes in ‘Rogue One’.

“There is reportedly an agreement that Cushing signed with the studio, that would prevent the reproduction of his likeness through special effects without prior consent…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

Eight years ago, Peter Cushing was digitally resurrected to appear in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as Grand Moff Tarkin, which has now prompted a lawsuit against Disney.

The lawsuit has been filed by Kevin Francis, a film producer and friend of Peter Cushing. He claims that Cushing “agreed not to grant permission for anyone to reproduce his appearance through special effects without his authorization” and that he allegedly “signed the agreement not to allow his image to be used without Francis’s permission in 1993 while preparing to make a television film called A Heritage of Horror, which was not completed.” In addition to Disney, the lawsuit includes Lucasfilm, Lunak Heavy Industries, which produced Rogue One, as well as Cushing’s agency and the estate’s now-deceased executors. The suit alleges that the studio got “unjust enrichment” from Cushing’s digital appearance in the movie.

Disney attempted to have...

A legal battle that has been brewing for years is now going to trial, with a High Court in London ruling that Tyburn Film Productions can proceed with their lawsuit against Disney/Lucasfilm for using the late Peter Cushing's likeness in 2016's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

The Gareth Edwards-directed movie - which went on to gross over $1 billion worldwide - featured the return of A New Hope's villainous Grand Moff Tarkin, with Industrial Light & Magic's advanced computer-generated technology used to "resurrect" the legendary actor for several scenes.

It was one of the first examples of a studio employing what's come to be known as "digital necromancy" to bring a deceased actor's character back to the screen, but far from the last, and it always results in a significant amount of backlash. Most recently, the late Ian Holm's likeness was used for an android in Alien: Romulus,...

Disney is in yet another lawsuit, this time over the use of CGI to recreate Peter Cushing’s likeness in Rogue One. Cushing, who passed away in 1994, famously played Grand Moff Tarkin in the original 1977 Star Wars film.

Tyburn Film Productions is suing the Disney-owned company Lunak Heavy Industries (UK) Ltc over using Peter Cushing’s likeness for their 2016 film “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” In the film, actor Guy Henry portrayed Tarkin, and then Lucasfilm added Cushing’s face digitally. This started the lawsuit in 2019, three years after the film’s release.

Lunak Heavy Industries (UK) Ltd

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.

The production company claims they made an agreement with the late actor’s estate for permission...

Disney has faced several publicized lawsuits this year, and one more seems to have been added to the list now. The studio’s subsidiary Lucasfilm, which produced Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was reportedly sued by an associate of late actor Peter Cushing for using his likeness in the film after his death.

Cushing played Grand Moff Tarkin in the original Star Wars but unfortunately passed away in 1994, three decades before his likeness was used with special effects in Rogue One. While the court rejected Disney’s plea to dismiss the lawsuit and allowed it to go to trial, netizens wondered why it took the associate eight years to file a suit.

Disney’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Faces A Lawsuit Darth Vader in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | Credits: Lucasfilm

Gareth Edwards’ Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is set before the events of 1977’s Star Wars.

Disney Sued Over CGI Resurrection of Peter Cushing in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - Main Image

Disney is currently facing a legal issue over their usage of Peter Cushing's likeness in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Using advanced visual effects technology, the late actor's likeness was "resurrected" to bring back his iconic character of Grand Moff Tarkin to the screen and have a prominent role in the film.

While the impressive CGI work was praised by fans at that time, it also posed a question regarding the ethics of "resurrecting" a dead actor to the screen, especially as it has become a common practice today.

Peter Cushing's Friend Sues Disney for Using Late Actor's Image in Rogue One

It was reported that Disney was sued by Cushing's friend Kevin Francis over the usage of his likeness in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Francis claimed that Cushing...

Disney and Lucasfilm are staring down the barrel of a lawsuit related to the "Star Wars" franchise, and it all stems from a movie that was released in theaters nearly eight years ago. Director Gareth Edwards' "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" was released in December 2016 as the second film in the franchise to arrive in the aftermath of Disney's purchase of Lucasfilm. Now, a lawsuit has been filed having to do with the film's CGI recreation of the late Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin.

So, why is this legal action happening all these years later? Here's what happened. Cushing, who played Tarkin in 1977's "Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope," died at the age of 81 in 1994. Now, producer Kevin Francis and his company Tyburn Film Productions is pursuing legal action for the CGI recreation of Cushing's likeness in "Rogue One" (via Euronews). Specifically, Tyburn is taking...

The use of Peter Cushing in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story has led to a legal case, that’s now been cleared for high court trial.

Spoilers lie ahead for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Now this is interesting. 2016’s terrific Rogue One: A Star Wars Story also managed to ignite a bit of debate, one that remains relevant following this summer’s season of blockbusters too.

Namely: if an actor has passed, should they be digitally resurrected to continue playing a role on screen? One major franchise – with permission – did this a year or two back with a moment I don’t want to spoil – even used such an approach for the ending of its movie.

In the case of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, audiences were surprised to see the late Peter Cushing reprising the role of Grand Moff Tarkin, over two decades after the actor had passed away.

Stars: Peter Cushing, Edward Judd, Carole Gray, Eddie Byrne, Sam Kydd, Niall MacGinnis, James Caffrey, Liam Gaffney, Roger Heathcott, Keith Bell | Written by Edward Mann, Al Ramsen | Directed by Terence Fisher

Island of Terror, directed by Terence Fisher, is a 1966 British horror film that stands out for its intriguing premise and unique creature design, though it often pales in comparison to the director’s more iconic work within the Hammer Horror series. While Fisher is best known for his stylish and atmospheric contributions to the genre, including classics like The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) and Dracula (1958), Island of Terror offers a more subdued and, at times, uneven experience.

Set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland, Island of Terror revolves around a group of scientists investigating a series of mysterious deaths linked to an experiment gone awry. The plot is straightforward, but it manages to build a sense of isolation and dread effectively.

The California state Senate has passed a law that requires consent for the use of dead performers’ likenesses for AI-created digital replicas.

SAG-AFTRA has been among the organizations championing the legislation as a means of helping the estates of deceased performers maintain some control over AI-created fakes and replicas of famous figures. The union was quick to herald the passage of Ab 1836 in a statement after the Senate moved on the bill in an unusual Saturday session.

The passage of Ab 1836, which now awaits the signature of Gov. Gavin Newsom, comes four days after the state Senate passed Ab 2602, which toughens the consent requirements for the use of AI to replicate living performers.

Related Content: SAG-AFTRA Wins Passage of California Bill to Limit AI Replicas

“For those who would use the digital replicas of deceased performers in films, TV shows, videogames, audiobooks, sound recordings and more, without first getting the consent of those performers’ estates,...

Even Elon Musk wants to see California legislation to safeguard against the unrestricted rise of artificial intelligence and today politicians in Sacramento moved one giant step closer to protecting actors from a virtual afterlife of sorts.

On a third reading, the state Senate Tuesday passed a bill that would require studios, streamers and other employers to seek specific permission from performers to create digital replicas.

Well before Assembly Bill 2602 was introduced back in April, the bill has been strongly supported by SAG-AFTRA. On all political fronts, the guild has pressed over the year for federal and state legislation to codify many of the provisions in their strike ending agreement with the AMPTP last fall.

“We are thrilled that one of our top legislative priorities, Bill Ab 2602 has passed in the State of California,” Duncan Crabtree-Ireland SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree Ireland told Deadline tonight. “The bill...

Skybound Entertainment (founded by "Invincible" creator Robert Kirkman) has turned into a comic book industry power player thanks to some lucrative licensing deals. Skybound is the current owner of the "Transformers" publishing license, and their ongoing comic is an Eisner Award-winning bestseller. Skybound's franchises don't end at the robots in disguise.

The publisher has, since 2023, been releasing a four-issue "Universal Monsters" mini-series, focusing on the classic monster ensemble and telling stories that either reimagine or continue the creatures as they appeared in those films. Kicking off with "Dracula" and continuing with "The Creature from the Black Lagoon Lives!" (read /Film's review of that series here), the third "Universal Monsters" mini-series finally delivers Skybound's "Frankenstein.""Universal Monsters: Frankenstein" is written and drawn by Michael Walsh, most famous as co-creator of the horror anthology comic "The Silver Coin" (Walsh drew all 15 issues and wrote three of them). Skybound has shared the first...

[Warning: This story contains major spoilers from Alien: Romulus.]

For sci-fans of a certain age, it was the surprise of the summer.

That would be the reappearance of Ian Holm as a “synthetic” android in Alien: Romulus, a secret held back from the film’s marketing and even its San Diego Comic-Con panel. As Holm died in 2020 at 88, it was also a major undertaking that required permission from the late actor’s estate and a combination of animatronics, CGI and artificial intelligence to complete the illusion.

The result is the most ambitious effort yet at re-animating a deceased actor for a movie. The last significant attempt — and by most accounts the first — was in 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which featured the CGI-re-created face of Peter Cushing, who died in 1994, reprising his character Grand Moff Tarkin from the original 1977 Star Wars.

Response to that cameo was negative, with many feeling the technology had failed to...

This article contains Alien: Romulus and The Flash spoilers.

The reviews are in, and some fans are already holding Fede Alvarez’s Alien: Romulus up as the best xenomorph feature since Ridley Scott’s 1979 original and James Cameron’s Aliens from 1986. It feels like a new era of the Alienverse is ready to burst forward from Hollywood’s chest. But while there’s plenty of praise for Alvarez’s back-to-basics approach, which tries to capture the pulse-pounding horror of Scott’s Alien, it’s not quite a perfect outing.

As well as some criticizing the suitably batshit ending that echoes Alien Resurrection’s bewildering finale, it’s the return of Ian Holm’s likeness that’s causing a stir for Romulus—namely because the actor tragically passed away in 2020. Despite a CGI approximation of “Holm” appearing in the role of a new android called Rook instead of Alien‘s Ash,...

Warning: major spoilers for "Alien: Romulus" follow.

In 2016, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" hit theaters with a surprising footnote: one of the film's cast members had actually been dead for 22 years. Using digital technology, the "Star Wars" prequel film was able to resurrect the late Peter Cushing as villain Grand Moff Tarkin (the movie also briefly featured a digitally resurrected Carrie Fisher, who had died that year). From a technical standpoint, the resurrected Cushing was impressive — VFX house Ilm was able to place a digital version of Cushing's face over a live-actor stand-in, and for the most part, it looked believable. But there was an uncomfortable quality to the endeavour, as well as a questionable aspect of the entire idea. To quote "Jurassic Park," "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." Why not just cast a new...

Sherlock Holmes has been adapted in so many ways that there’s no point in partaking in any kind of pearl clutching activities anymore. Of course, the adaptations featuring Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing, Jeremy Brett, Michael Caine, Robert Downey Jr., Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, and even Jonny Lee Miller will be celebrated by fans of Arthur Conan Doyle’s work. But they also have to deal with the likes of Holmes & Watson, Enola Holmes, Sherlock Gnomes, and Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd century. And you’d think that after a show with a female Sherlock Holmes, a play in which Sherlock and Watson are in a gay relationship, and an animated series by Hayao Miyazaki where the characters are anthropomorphic animals, there’s no way that a new adaptation can surprise you. Well, Shekhar Home asks you to think otherwise.

Directed by Srijit Mukherji and Ronny Sippy, Shekhar Home takes place in the ’90s,...

Hammer Films is back with the brand new movie Doctor Jekyll starring Eddie Izzard (now available on VOD outlets at home), and we’ve learned that a documentary about the legendary studio is also coming soon. It will celebrate the 90-year anniversary of Hammer Films.

Deadline reports this morning that Sky has joined forces with Deep Fusion Films on Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters, a feature documentary releasing in November 2024.

“The 90-minute feature doc will track Hammer’s progression from a back off in London’s Regent Street to its iconic status within the horror film genre,” Deadline previews.

The outlet continues, “Deep Fusion co-founder Benjamin Field is helming the doc, with the director revisiting the people in front of and behind the camera who made the operation a byword for horror, and will include numerous key contributors, unseen archive footage and interviews with the likes of Tim Burton, John Carpenter and Joe Dante.

Exclusive: Hammer Films turns a spritely 90 years old later this year, and Sky is getting in on the celebrations.

The UK pay-tv network has teamed with the iconic horror studio and Cardiff’s Deep Fusion Films to make Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters, which will launch in November, timed to coincide with the legendary production house’s 90th birthday.

The 90-minute feature doc will track Hammer’s progression from a back office in London’s Regent Street to its iconic status within the horror film genre. The company, started by comedian and businessman William Hinds in 1934, made films such as The Curse of Frankenstein, Dracula and The Quartermass Xperiment during the period for which it is best known, making stars out of the likes of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.

Deep Fusion co-founder Benjamin Field is helming the doc, with the director revisiting the people in front of and behind...

The Star Wars franchise features several fan-favorite characters but the droids R2-D2 and C-3Po hold a special place in the fanbase’s hearts. Actor Anthon Daniels played the role of the quirky humanoid protocol droid C-3Po across all three trilogies of the franchise and several spin-off media.

Anthony Daniels is known for playing C-3Po in Star Wars (Credit: Lucasfilm).

Despite being a recognizable face among the fanbase, Daniels was mostly left out of the fanfare and promotions during the early stages of his tenure as C-3Po. In an interview, Daniels spoke about the struggles, revealing one rule from Lucasfilm, that prevented him from interacting with the fans.

Star Wars Actor Anthony Daniels Admitted He Was Neglected Because of One Lucasfilm Rule

George Lucas launched the Star Wars franchise with the 1977 original film, which introduced the character of C-3Po. In the film, Anthony Daniels debuted...

The first Star Wars film that started it all, starred The Curse of Frankenstein star Peter Cushing in the role of Grand Moff Tarkin, a name the late actor wasn’t too fond of. But it wasn’t the name of his Star Wars counterpart that irked him the most, as following his huge shoe size, Cushing wasn’t comfortably cruising in his military boots.

This pushed him to request George Lucas to resolve the issue by shooting him from the waist up, a decision that would come to haunt the creators of Rogue One.

Peter Cushing Continued the Star Wars Shoot in Slippers A still of Peter Cushing from Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope | 20th Century Studios

With his feet being 12 inches, the wardrobe crew in the first Star Wars failed to get the right boots made for Peter Cushing and the available ones were extremely uncomfortable for the actor.

Stars: Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Patrick Allen, Jane Merrow, Sarah Lawson, William Lucas, Kenneth Cope, Percy Herbert, Thomas Heathcote | Written by Ronald Liles, Jane Baker, Pip Baker | Directed by Terence Fisher

Night of the Big Heat, directed by Terence Fisher, is a science fiction horror film based on the novel by John Lymington. The story unfolds on the small, isolated island of Fara, which is gripped by an unseasonable and unbearable heatwave. The local innkeeper, Jeff Callum (Patrick Allen), his wife Frankie (Sarah Lawson), and the mysterious scientist Dr. Godfrey Hanson (Christopher Lee) must uncover the source of the unnatural heat. Their investigation leads to a startling discovery: an invasion of extraterrestrial beings generating intense heat to make the environment suitable for their habitation.

Night of the Big Heat combines the atmospheric tension typical of 1960s British horror with the unsettling eeriness of classic science fiction. Terence Fisher, renowned for his work with Hammer Films,...

In Gareth Edwards' 2016 film "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," a group of scrappy Rebels defy orders from their superiors to infiltrate an Imperial stronghold and steal the blueprints for the Empire's newest superweapon, a planet-killing, moon-sized laser called the Death Star. It's no surprise that they will be successful, as the plans they steal are put to good use in the 1977 film "Star Wars." Indeed, the events of "Rogue One" end at the exact moment "Star Wars" picks up, leaving nothing to the imagination. Sadly, the characters of "Rogue One" all die in their mission, a fact that all "Star Wars" fans kind of knew going in.

The villain of "Rogue One" is an Imperial weapons developer named Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) who has overseen the design and construction of the Death Star. Like most of the Imperial characters throughout the "Star Wars" franchise, Krennic is stressed, angry, and unhappy.

Yvonne Furneaux, the glamorous actress who had memorable performances in Michelangelo Antonioni’s Le Amiche, Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita and Roman Polanski’s Repulsion, has died. She was 98.

Furneaux died July 5 at her home in North Hampton, New Hampshire, of complications from a stroke, her son, Nicholas Natteau, told The Hollywood Reporter.

She also was the female lead in the Hammer horror film The Mummy (1959), starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Though she considered the project less than ideal, she said she ultimately learned from those actors that “if you don’t take a film like The Mummy seriously and put your heart and soul into it, then you can bring it down,” she explained in Mark A. Miller’s 2010 book, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing and Horror Cinema.

She starred in Italian, French, German and Spanish films during her career.

In Le Amiche (1955), a hit at the...