Bruce Willis

One of the most talked about stories this past week was that actor Bruce Willis had sold the rights to his digital likeness to a deepfake company called ...

The news came six months after Willis’ retirement from acting following his diagnosis of aphasia. [The BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63106024) reports that a spokesperson for Willis has denied that he has any kind of partnership or agreement with the company. [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/09/28/deepfake-tech-allows-bruce-willis-return-screen-without-ever/), would allow the use of a ‘digital twin’ of Willis to be used in future screen projects.

It was widely reported last week that Willis - in the first deal of its kind, had sold his face to a deepfake company called Deepcake.

As deepfake technology evolves, rumors circulate of actors selling the rights to their image. Is this actually happening or is it just fear mongering?

While nowhere near the sophistication of current technology, the field of "computer vision" has been around since the 1990s. The neural network was trained on content of Die Hard and Fifth Element, so my character is similar to the images of that time." The controversy surrounding this event highlights some of the challenges associated with the recent emergence and development of deepfake technology. [progress of deepfakes](https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/deepfakes-are-bad-but-what-are-some-of-the-possible-advantages), it seems that their use at least till now has been reserved for entertainment purposes. Last year, Willis did work with Deepcake to create an advert for Megafon, a Russian telecoms company, which is where the rumors began. The news comes about after several media outlets reported that Willis had agreed to have his image used in deepfake videos.

Popular action movie star Bruce Willis retired earlier this year prompted by his diagnosis of aphasia. Willis has a cognitive disorder that has profoundly ...

But the tech also has a lot of very positive possibilities. It creates a visual and audio digital twin in videos. The neural network was trained on content of “Die Hard” and “Fifth Element”, so my character is similar to the images of that time, Willis said. With the advent of modern technology, I could communicate, work and participate in filming, even being on another continent. “I liked the precision of my character. Deepcake, which specializes in “digital twins” of celebrities, created the commercial.

Tech firm had earlier confirmed the same to media after the celeb appeared in a deepfake ad for a Russian telecoms company.

Deepfake companies use artificial intelligence to create realistic simulations of famous figures. Deepcake confirmed this to a British news outlet. Bollywood actor takes on shades of grey in new action thriller

Bruce Willis has sold deepfake rights for future films and advertising campaigns to Deepcake, a company that creates "digital twins" for use in commercial ...

By then, reports of his [struggle to recall lines and cues](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-03-30/bruce-willis-aphasia-memory-loss-cognitive-disorder) had been circulating within the industry for some time. Engadget reports that Willis worked with Deepcake on a 2021 ad for Russian telecom company Megafon, in which his face was swapped on to that of actor Konstantin Solovyov. [films](https://mashable.com/category/film) thanks to deepfake technology.

Bruce Willis is denying he sold his digital likeness to a deepfake production company. A representative for the 67-year-old former actor – forced into ...

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A representative for the 67-year-old former actor – forced into retirement after his aphasia diagnosis – told The Hollywood Reporter he has “no partnership or ...

There's been a new development in the alleged sale of the rights to Bruce Willis' likeness.

And over the past several months, one of the sweetest Willis stories has come from [Joseph Gordon Levitt, who recalled a compliment](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/joseph-gordon-levitt-recalls-a-bruce-willis-compliment-that-hes-never-forgotten) he received from his Looper co-star. Additionally, [Heming has been candid about her struggles](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/bruce-willis-wife-emma-speaks-up-about-struggling-with-caring-for-her-family-and-how-its-taken-a-toll) with caring for Willis and how it’s “taken a toll” on her. [Sylvester Stallone and John Travolta were among those to react](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/sylvester-stallone-john-travolta-and-more-react-to-bruce-willis-retirement-announcement), and they shared some truly sweet sentiments. Let’s hope that if something does come to fruition, it would handle the man’s legacy with a level of respect. Entertainment](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bruce-willis-digital-twin-aphasia-diagnosis-190942056.html) and other news outlets and in it, asserted that the star “has no partnership or agreement” with the company. Despite this, it’s yet to be confirmed whether or not the star ever wanted to make a long-term deal for his likeness in the first place. Still, I’d imagine that after seeing the clip, some fans might be down to see a recreation of the Hollywood vet on their screens. In 2021, the corporation proved the sophistication of its tech when it recreated the actor for a Russian commercial. At the time the news broke, an alleged statement from Willis was shared, and he seemed to be quoted as saying that he liked the “precision” with which his likeness was recreated. At the time, the star’s fans seemed saddened to hear of his personal issues and professional decision though, a report from the past week seemed to indicate that his likeness would live on in future productions. We may want to pump the brakes on all of that though, as it seems that such a deal hasn’t exactly been struck at this point. The initial report claimed that Bruce Willis had made an agreement with a company known as Deepcake.

Over the last few days it had been reported that Bruce Willis had sold his likeness rights for deep fake use, but this seems not to be the case.

[Willis’ releases over the last two years](https://movieweb.com/bruce-willis-21-direct-to-video-movies/) have been roundly panned by critics, the purpose of the movies was to allow the star to cram in as many roles to his final years as an actor. Among those projects still to be released is Paradise City, the movie that is expected to be Willis’ final appearance. [Bruce Willis](https://movieweb.com/person/bruce-willis) had sold his likeness rights to be used in future deepfake videos, but it seems that this is not exactly the case.

A representative for the 67-year-old former actor – forced into retirement after his aphasia diagnosis – told The Hollywood Reporter he has “no partnership or ...

It’s a brand new and interesting experience for me, and I (am) grateful to our team.” as Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that.” They said his aphasia was impacting his “cognitive abilities”, adding: “This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support…

New York: Bruce Willis's agent has denied reports that the film star has sold the rights to his face.

However, a spokesperson for the actor told reporters that he had “no partnership or agreement” with the company. Deepfakes use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology to create realistic videos – often of celebrities or politicians. New York: Bruce Willis’s agent has denied reports that the film star has sold the rights to his face.

Both Bruce Willis and Deepcake tell the BBC that they have "no partnership or agreement"

[told BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63106024) that the actor had “no partnership or agreement” with the Russian company Deepcake to create a digital copy of himself using machine learning technology, with Deepcake itself confirming that no deal was in place. [announced his retirement](https://www.thewrap.com/bruce-willis-aphasia-retiring-from-acting/) from acting this past March after being diagnosed with aphasia, a brain disorder that progressively damages one’s ability to communicate through speech and writing. The supposed deal was first reported by [The Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11262131/Bruce-Willis-sells-rights-allow-deepfake-digital-twin-created.html) on Sep.

Bruce Willis has denied reports that he'd licensed the use of his image to a deepfake company, after announcing his retirement in March.

[Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11262131/Bruce-Willis-sells-rights-allow-deepfake-digital-twin-created.html) reported that Willis sold his likeness to Deepcake – a Russian company specialising in AI-powered content optimisation – shortly before he learned of his aphasia diagnosis. The series has, thus far, used deepfake technology to recreate younger versions of Luke Hamill, Carrie Fisher and the late Peter Cushing. “The wording about rights is wrong,” they said, noting that “Bruce couldn’t sell anyone any rights [because] they are his by default”. In their report, the Daily Mail claimed that Willis’ digital likeness had been licensed for use in future film projects, though his estate would have the final say in what projects it appeared in. It’s a great opportunity for me to go back in time… [South Park](https://www.nme.com/tag/south-park) creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone confirmed that their deepfake film about [Donald Trump](https://www.nme.com/tag/donald-trump) is [currently “on hold”](https://www.nme.com/news/film/south-park-creators-confirm-deepfake-donald-trump-film-is-on-hold-3287213). It’s a brand new and interesting experience for me, and I grateful to our team.” [signed off on his vocal likeness being used](https://www.nme.com/news/film/darth-vaders-james-earl-jones-approves-ai-technology-to-recreate-his-voice-3317189) – by way of AI technology – to recreate the voice of Darth Vader in future [Star Wars](https://www.nme.com/tag/star-wars) projects. [aphasia](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/aphasia) – “a language disorder caused by damage in a specific area of the brain that controls language expression and comprehension” – organisers of the Golden Raspberry Awards [ rescinded their dedicated award for Worst Bruce Willis Performance](https://www.nme.com/news/film/razzies-cancel-bruce-willis-worst-performance-award-following-aphasia-diagnosis-3196132). [BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63106024) that Willis has “no partnership or agreement” with Deepcake – a claim the company itself has also verified. The actor’s condition was [made public back in March](https://www.nme.com/news/film/bruce-willis-to-retire-from-acting-following-aphasia-diagnosis-3194424), when a statement confirming it was shared alongside the news that Willis would retire from the film industry after 44 years. [Bruce Willis](https://www.nme.com/artists/bruce-willis) has denied reports that he’d licensed the use of his image to a deepfake company, after formally announcing his retirement earlier in the year.