Fans are calling forDeadpoolstarRyan Reynoldsto take legal action after his image was recreated using AI in a fan-made advert for Tesla. Shared to social media by YouTuber Kevin Paffrath aka Meet Kevin, the fake ad finds the artificial AI-generated Ryan Reynolds speaking highly of the car brand with his dead eyes and weird mouth.“Hey, it’s Ryan Reynolds,” the AI Ryan Reynolds says in the ad, which has since been deleted from social media. “How much do you think it would cost to own a car that’s this f***ing awesome?” the off-putting deepfake variant of Reynolds continues in his disturbing, AI created voice.
The video was initially posted alongside the claim that it was an official ad for Tesla, even tagging Reynolds’ official Twitter account@VancityReynolds. However, the eagle-eyed were quick to spot the caption which read, “Disclaimer: We made this partly with deep-fake AI. @VancityReynolds wasn’t actually a part of this, though we think he’d make a phenomenal brand partner for @elonmusk and @Tesla. Happy to fly to Tesla HQ and share more ideas for free anytime.”
Since the ad dropped, fans have taken to social media to call for Reynolds to sue. “I hope Ryan Reynolds sues,” says one, with another adding, “Really hoping this becomes illegal super quick.”
Tesla CEO and product architect, Elon Musk, has since chimed in, simply saying “Nice” in response to the bizarre commercial. A comment that is sure to have many rolling their eyes…
But, Ryan Reynolds being who the expert prankster that he is, has now responded. The digital marketing agency Maximum Effort, which was co-founded by Reynolds, has created its own (now deleted) AI ad, which sees Elon Musk promotingAviation Gin, which is part-owned by theDeadpoolstar. And, of course, Reynolds has had the final word…
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The WGA & SAG Are Deeply Concerned About the Emergence of AI
Creatives in the movie-making industry now have serious, understandable concerns about the use of AI and the evolution of the technology. While it is still noticeable when AI has been used, the tech is advancing quickly, with theongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strikescalling for regulations to be brought in regarding the use of AI to write and rewrite scripts and other such production materials.
Negotiations between the WGA and The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) regarding the matter are ongoing, with the most recent statement from the Writers Guild proposing that they would allow the use of AI in the writing of scripts, so long as does not affect the writer’s credit and residuals.
It’s not only writers who are concerned about the emergence of AI, with Screen Actors Guild (SAG), who are alsonow considering a strike, deeply concerned about the use of artificial intelligence in recreating actors’ performances and images.
The issue of AI is sure to be a complicated one for some time, depending on how the strikes and negotiations shake out, and time will tell whether we all now need to attempt to get used to the uncanny valley.The real Ryan Reynoldswill next appear in the highly anticipated MCU sequel,Deadpool 3, which is due for release on November 8th, 2024.
