Amazon Studios Accused Of AI Use During Actors Strike On ‘Road House’ To Avoid Loss Of Copyright - News Reelz

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From Joe Peltzer

Trouble is brewing for Amazon Studios after R. Lance Hill, the writer of 1989’s Road House, filed suit against them (and their subsidiary, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios) for copyright infringement. Amazon is set to release the Jake Gyllenhaal-fronted remake of Road House on Prime Video in March, though this suit aims to block said release.

Let’s break down the legal mumbo jumbo here. In the complaint, Hill details how he filed the proper paperwork to have the copyright for Road House revert back to him once the rights expired in November of 2023. Knowing this, it is alleged, Amazon Studios use artificial intelligence during the actors work stoppage to replicate their voices in an attempt to finish the film prior to the loss of copyright. Unsuccessfully, if Gill is to be believed, as he states the film was not finished until January, two months after the copyright expiration.

What does this mean? Gill is seeking the return of the copyright, the blocking of the upcoming release (already a source of controversy as director Doug Liman is boycotting the premiere because he’s ticked it’s going to streaming, even though it was always heading that direction), and monetary damages. Stay tuned!

(Source: Los Angeles Times)