James Earl Jones is in Fortnite via AI technology
One of the most iconic voices ever has landed in Fortnite during its Star Wars season, but it’s not in a way fans expected.
Today, Darth Vader will roam the battlefield as a boss replacing Darth Vader Samurai. With Jones’ passing last year, Disney, Lucasfilm, and Epic Games joined forces to use AI technology to allow Vader to interact with players. Before his passing, Jones gave Lucasfilm permission to recreate his voice for future projects.
In a statement, the family on James Earl Jones said:
“James Earl felt that the voice of Darth Vader was inseparable from the story of Star Wars, and he always wanted fans of all ages to continue to experience it. We hope that this collaboration with Fortnite will allow both longtime fans of Darth Vader and newer generations to share in the enjoyment of this iconic character.”
Sean Shoptaw, EVP, Disney Games and Digital Entertainment also said:
“James Earl Jones’ legendary vocal performance is a defining element of what makes Darth Vader one of the most iconic characters in cinematic history. Disney, Lucasfilm, and Epic Games are honored to bring his voice to Fortnite for millions of players to experience — showcasing how we responsibly embrace emerging technologies to expand storytelling while keeping people at the heart of the creative process.”
The current season of Fortnite will conclude on June 7. More information about the season can be found here.
Since 2009, MP3s and NPCs owner Terrance Pryor has written about music, conventions, cosplay, and video games for publications such as AXS, Examiner, Fake Walls, and Ranker. Based out of Los Angeles, the former rock concert promoter/radio host can be seen talking about rock music on AXS TV’s Music’s Greatest Mysteries and discussing music and whatever else on their Black Man Talks Rock channel on YouTube.