By A legal battle has reportedly erupted over “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” and that film’s use of the digital likeness of classic British actor Peter Cushing over two decades after his death.
London-based film company Tyburn Film Productions is suing Disney for using Cushing’s image in the film according to The Telegraph.
The company is claiming that the VFX recreation of the late actor violates a contract made between the company and Cushing before he died in 1994.
They allege that the agreement, made for Cushing’s intended appearance in a TV film that was never made, gives the company the ability to veto any recreation of Cushing’s image with the use of special effects.
It’s claimed that Lucasfilm and Lunak Heavy Industries (which produced the original “Star Wars”) did not ask for permission from Tyburn Film Productions when recreating the image of the actor for “Rogue One” and have received “unjust enrichment” from using Cushing’s image.
Lucasfilm and Lunak Heavy Industries reportedly stated that they did not believe permission was needed because of the terms under Cushing’s contract for the film in 1977. They argue they owned the rights to use Cushing’s image from the original movie.
Disney failed to have the claim dismissed at the High Court in London and a full factual inquiry was needed, but the judge was also “far from persuaded” that Tyburn Film Productions would win the case. A trial will now take place at a later date.
Veteran actor Guy Henry played and voiced the Grand Moff Tarkin character in “Rogue One,” with CG used to digitally alter his head to resemble Cushing.
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