Amazon AI Voice Cloning: Accusations of Copyright Infringement in Amazon’s Road House Reboot

The highly anticipated 2024 remake of the action movie classic ‘Road House’ is to feature Conor McGregor and Jake Gyllenhaal in lead roles. But beyond all the hype, Amazon MGM Studios is entangled in controversy. The tech giant has been accused of copyright infringement and using Amazon AI voice cloning to clone actors’ voices for the upcoming film.

Reports from reputable sources such as the Los Angeles Times and The Hollywood Reporter reveal that the screenwriter of the original 1989 film ‘Road House’ has initiated legal proceedings against MGM Studios and its parent company, Amazon Studios. The lawsuit in the U.S. Central District Court in Los Angeles alleges copyright infringement concerning the upcoming ‘Road House’ remake.

The lawsuit accuses Amazon Studios of employing generative AI technology to replicate actors’ voices. It is alleged that during the Hollywood strikes of the previous year, which brought film production to a standstill, Amazon turned to Amazon AI voice cloning to create clones of actors’ voices to complete the ‘Road House’ remake.

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Allegations of Copyright Infringement and Amazon AI Voice Cloning

In the complaint, screenwriter R. Lance Hill reportedly asserts that he petitioned the U.S. Copyright Office in November 2021 to regain rights to the screenplay, which serves as the basis for both the original ‘Road House’ and Amazon Studios’ reboot. Despite Amazon’s ownership of the rights to ‘Road House’ following its acquisition of MGM’s film library, Hill’s claim on the work was slated to expire in November 2023.

However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Hill’s original agreement with United Artists, which initially secured the rights to the 1986 screenplay before being acquired by MGM Studios, is categorised as a “Work-made-for-hire”. As defined by the U.S. Copyright Office, this designation stipulates that the party commissioning a work is its owner and copyright holder.

Hill contends that the work-for-hire provision was merely standard practice. He asserts that Amazon disregarded his copyright assertions and sped up the production of the remake by resorting to “Extreme measures” such as using Amazon AI voice cloning. The lawsuit seeks a court injunction to halt the film’s release, scheduled to premiere on the opening night of SXSW on March 8th and stream on Prime Video on March 21st.

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Amazon Denies Use of AI in ‘Road House’ Remake

Amazon MGM Studios has vehemently denied allegations of using Amazon AI voice cloning to replace or recreate actors’ voices in the upcoming ‘Road House’ remake. In statements to The Verge, spokesperson Jenna Klein emphasised that the studio explicitly instructed filmmakers against using AI in the movie.

Klein clarified that any potential use of AI would have been at the discretion of the filmmakers during the editing process, as they retained control over the editorial aspects. Additionally, filmmakers were directed to ensure the removal of any “AI-generated or non-SAG AFTRA” actors during the finalisation of the film.

Amazon refuted several claims in the lawsuit, labelling them as “Categorically false”. The company also asserted its belief that the copyright for ‘Road House’ has not expired effectively, countering one of the allegations raised.

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McGregor’s Film Journey: From ‘XXX’ to ‘Road House’

Interestingly, ‘Road House’ is to be Conor McGregor’s leap into the world of cinema, portraying the main antagonist, Knox. However, this isn’t McGregor’s first brush with Hollywood. In 2015, he was approached for a role in ‘XXX: Return of Xander Cage’ alongside Vin Diesel.

Although McGregor was offered a minor character named Hawk in ‘XXX’, he opted out to focus on preparing for a rematch with Nate Diaz. Ultimately, the role went to Michael Bisping, sparking a feud between Bisping and McGregor that has persisted since then.

Our Final Say

McGregor’s cinematic debut and the legal drama adds intrigue to the film’s narrative. Whether the allegations hold merit or not, the controversy surrounding the production of “Road House” emphasises the complexities of intellectual property and the use of AI in the digital age. As excitement builds for the release of Amazon’s ‘Road House’ remake, viewers and fans worldwide can only hope that the allegations of copyright infringement, the use of Amazon AI voice cloning, and any other legal battle or controversy will not affect the movie’s success.

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