Backlash over James Dean in a New Film

James Dean will film a new movie, Vietnam-era drama Finding Jack. We know he died over six decades ago. But the production company behind the movie, Magic City Films, will recreate the star using CGI technology. It will include actual footage and photos of the Rebel Without a Cause. And no one wants to see it, including celebrities.

Celebrities against CGI casting of James Dean

Chris Evans tweeted, “I’m sure he’d be thrilled” with an eye-rolling emoji. He continued: “This is awful. Maybe we can get a computer to paint us a new Picasso,” Evans wrote. “Or write a couple of new John Lennon tunes. The complete lack of understanding here is shameful.”

Elijah Wood agreed, reposting the report on Twitter with the added caption, “NOPE. this shouldn’t be a thing.” Wood was nice, compared to Dylan Sprouse. He tweeted: “Mark Roesler, CEO of CMG Worldwide says in addition to other famous, deceased personalities; the film “opens up a whole new opportunity for many of our clients who are no longer with us.” TO BE READ AS: “Found a new way to rob graves of dead icons and milk the masses for less!”

Actress Zelda Williams — daughter of the late actor Robin Williams — said the move is “puppeteering the dead” for clout. The news must come as shock to the young actress, not because it’s James Dean, but because her late dad could be next.

The Director’s POV

But the worst part is that the director doesn’t understand the backlash. Finding Jack filmmaker Anton Ernst said that he was saddened and confused by the film’s tepid reception. “We don’t really understand it. We never intended for this to be a marketing gimmick,” Ernst told the Hollywood Reporter. He later confirmed that James Dean will be back on screens. The director continued: “We’ve brought a whole new generation of filmgoers to be aware of James Dean.”

Holograms, AI and Consent

As if hologram tours weren’t enough, and as if there are not many young and talented actors. James Dean is a legend, and part of that legend is that he died young. Though small, his body of work is iconic.

There is another, maybe even the biggest question we cannot ignore. Where are the boundaries with AI? And where is the consent from James Dean? The only decent thing to do is ignore Finding Jack.