Tom Hanks and Robin Wright will work with AI to be De-Aged in Robert Zemeckis Film 'Here'

by Darian Scalamoni

    Technology today makes it easier to cast almost anyone at any age to play different roles. When Martin Scorsese released The Irishman, we saw lead actors Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci play all different ages. We also saw use in The Mandalorian of creating Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker due to deepfake, creative video editing, de-aging and use of artificial intelligence to bring that character back to a look he had when Star Wars was originally created to fit the timeline of the story they were telling. Now, it seems that Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump) will aim to create a whole film with his actors being de-aged through a new AI tool. 

    According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Tom Hanks (Cast Away, Elvis) and Robin Wright (The Princess Bride, Wonder Woman) will star in Zemeckis' next film, Here, which will utilize the new AI tool known as Metaphysic Live. The upcoming film is an adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name written by Richard McGuire taking place in New England beginning in the wilderness before heading into a home featuring themes of love, loss, hope, struggle and legacy. Hanks and Wright will reunite with Zemeckis as they both had starred in Best Picture winner Forrest Gump previously, which was directed by the filmmaker. Both have also starred in other pics for the Oscar-winning director; Hanks most recently in the Disney+ exclusive Pinocchio and Wright most recently in his animated version of A Christmas Carol back in 2009 starring Jim Carrey. 

    Here will be the first project across film and television that will use the Metaphysic tool, after the company entered a strategic partnership with talent agency CAA to develop generative AI tools for talent to utilize across media. Many may believe that this tool could be intimidating and take away from the actual performances of the actors (me included), however, the ability to de-age actors if done right, can turn out to be very beneficial. Even though she is not playing a human character, a great example of this most recently was Sigourney Weaver playing a teenage Avatar in last year's Avatar: The Way of Water.

    The tool will work to face replace and de-age many of the actors within Here. Hanks and Wright are joined in the project by Paul Bettany and Kelly Reilly. Hanks is coming off his role in Zemeckis' Pinocchio as Geppetto as well as playing Col. Tom Parker in Elvis alongside Austin Butler. Wright has most recently turned to directing as she's helmed episodes of Ozark and Hulu's Tell Me Lies before heading her feature directorial debut with Land, which she also starred in.

    What are your guys thoughts on Robert Zemeckis using Metaphysic to de-age all of his actors in the upcoming film, Here? Are you fan of de-aging actors with technology, or do you think they should just cast younger actors to play younger versions? Let us know in the comments!