Stars like Tom Hanks and Harrison Ford are being rendered younger digitally but voices in the industry express concern about where we might be heading

Craggy, grey-haired and 80 years old, Harrison Ford might seem a bit old to don his brown Fedora-style hat or crack his whip as Indiana Jones. But a trailer for his upcoming film Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny offers a flashback to Indy in his swashbuckling glory days.

“That is my actual face at that age,” the Actor explained on CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. “They have this artificial intelligence (AI) programme. It can go through every foot of film that Lucasfilm owns because I did a bunch of movies for them and they have all this footage including film that wasn’t printed: stock. They could mine it from where the light is coming from, the expression. But that’s my actual face. Then I put little dots on my face and I say the words and they make it. It’s fantastic.”For decades, Hollywood has used de-aging Technology to create youthful versions of beloved characters, from Brad Pitt in Fight Club to Eddie Murphy in Coming to America 2. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is taking this technology to the next level. AI is allowing everyone from veteran actors to Hollywood newcomers to be digitally rejuvenated, leading to an exciting new era of movie-making.

AI de-ageing technology involves feeding a computer system images of the actor in question. The system then reverses the ageing process, adding 30 or 40 years to the actor’s appearance. This can be used to make a young actor appear as an older version of themselves and turn an older actor into a younger version.

This technology can make a blockbusting movie like Guardians of the Galaxy more stunning and immersive. The movie’s de-aged version of the character of Yondu, played by the late Michael Rooker, is a perfect example of this technology’s capabilities. On the small screen, the technology is also extensively used for series such as The Crown and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Though the technology is still in its early stages, its potential to revolutionize movies and TV shows is undeniable. AI de-ageing technology allows for greater creative freedom and can even help revive older characters that audience members have grown fond of. Beyond these creative benefits, the technology also offers the unique opportunity to create multiple versions of a single actor in different ages and settings. This can be used to explore the character’s backstory, creating a more immersive and engaging viewing experience.

Despite these potential benefits, there are still a number of issues with AI de-ageing technology. Critics argue that it may still be too costly to become more widely adopted and that the results are still not realistic enough. Others worry that it may lead to an over-reliance on CGI, taking away from the connection that viewers feel between themselves and the actors on screen.

No matter one’s opinion on the technology, it is clear that AI de-ageing is a big revolution for the movie and television industry. It is an exciting time for actors and filmmakers alike, who can now explore new ways to tell stories and create memorable characters. It will be interesting to see the effects of this technology in the coming years and what the future of de-ageing technology holds.