# California passes law against using AI to replace actors

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-passes-law-against-using-ai-to-replace-actors/1023924>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Tags:** movies, ai\
**Created:** [October 13, 2025, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-passes-law-against-using-ai-to-replace-actors/1023924 "2025-10-13T11:58:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-passes-law-against-using-ai-to-replace-actors/1023924/41 "2025-10-14T17:32:13Z")

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> [@Voyager](#):
>
> Copyright law only gets enforced if people find out about it and think it is worth their while.

Another forum I know was knocked offline for a while because somebody posted a picture of a toucan, and the person who took it objected. The reasons can be trivial and arbitrary.

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**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-passes-law-against-using-ai-to-replace-actors/1023924/42 "2025-10-14T18:59:30Z")

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Where does California stand on using AI to translate actors?

> **[Flawless, XYZ Films at EFM selling AI English-language dub of Berlinale...](https://www.screendaily.com/news/flawless-xyz-films-at-efm-selling-ai-english-language-dub-of-berlinale-opener-the-light/5201930.article)**
>
> Tom Tykwer's drama used tech to adjust lips movements and synch to dubbed dialogue.

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [October 15, 2025, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-passes-law-against-using-ai-to-replace-actors/1023924/43 "2025-10-15T00:59:30Z")

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It would be easier to enforce a ban on AI lead roles in movies.

For example, a new Steve McQueen movie could be disrespectful to his legacy. AI can’t make the same artistic choices in selecting roles and how to approach playing the character.

A commercial with Steve may also be inappropriate. But, AI can emulate his known personality and mannerisms for a two minute spot.

It could introduce Steve to todays generation. Maybe create interest in his movies. That’s something his estate will need to decide.

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**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2025, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-passes-law-against-using-ai-to-replace-actors/1023924/44 "2025-10-17T06:15:47Z")

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Isn’t this just an extension of the Fred Astaire / Dirt Devil controversy 30 years ago? I thought the legal and labor implications had already been decided before AI was even a thing.

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**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-passes-law-against-using-ai-to-replace-actors/1023924/45 "2025-10-17T18:43:00Z")

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> [@Babale](#):
>
> I understand that, but that’s exactly my point. I _don’t_ think it should straight up illegal for movies to be made with digitized actors.

It isn’t illegal. “Contrary to public policy” means that contracts involving this cannot be enforced. For instance, a contract in which one party agrees to rob a bank for a fee is not enforceable in law, beyond the act being illegal, so the robber, caught or not, cannot sue to be paid.

I don’t know the reason they cast the law this way. Possibly to discourage both actors and studios from doing this.

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