Mrs. Doubtfire Actor Plans AI Revival of Robin Williams Voice Amid Family Objections

Matthew Lawrence, who starred alongside Robin Williams in the 1993 film Mrs. Doubtfire, has expressed a desire to use AI technology to recreate Williams' iconic voice for new projects, emphasizing he would only do so with the approval of Williams' family. Lawrence was inspired by an old commercial where Williams used a computerized voiceover and envisions Williams as a fitting voice for AI applications like smart speakers or navigation systems. However, this idea has been met with strong opposition from Williams' daughter, Zelda Williams, who has long criticized the use of AI to replicate her late father's voice without consent, calling such recreations "disturbing" and a violation of actors' rights. Zelda has voiced concerns that AI-generated performances undermine the human effort and creativity involved in acting, describing these recreations as "horrendous Frankensteinian monsters." The controversy highlights ongoing debates in Hollywood about the ethical implications of AI in using deceased actors' likenesses and voices, especially without clear consent from their estates. This tension underscores broader industry challenges around AI's impact on performance art and intellectual property.