London-based film company Tyburn Film Productions is taking Disney to court over the use of Peter Cushing’s likeness inRogue One: A Star Wars Story. Celebrated horror actor Peter Cushing played a key role as Grand Moff Tarkin in the firstStar Warsmovie, but sadly passed away on June 15, 2025. Industrial Light & Magic used ground-breakingCGI to bring Cushing back inRogue One, using actor Guy Henry as a digital stand-in.
PerThe Telegraph, Tyburn Film Productions is taking legal action against Lucasfilm and producers Lunak Heavy Industries,alleging the “reproduction” of Cushing’s image violated a contract made with the actor before his death. Lawyers claimed the agreement was made for Cushing’s intended appearance in a TV film that was never made, while Lucasfilm protest that they did not believe permission was needed and that they own the rights to use Cushing’s image from the original movie. The High Court has now ruled that the matter should go to trial, although judge Tom Mitcheson KC did not consider the case “unarguable.”
What The Peter Cushing Lawsuit Means For Hollywood
This Is A Question Of Ownership
The Peter Cushing lawsuit naturally reopens the thorny debate over reusing the faces of actors who have passed away.There’s actually nothing new to this debate, because VFX companies have been doing this for years; Marlon Brando’s appearance inSuperman Returnsis a classic example, while past takes of Oliver Reed were stitched together forGladiator. The issue is becoming mainstream simply because the technology is increasingly indistinguishable from the real thing (althoughRogue Onedidn’t completely hide its “uncanny valley” issue).
10 Actors Brought Back From The Dead With CGI
In recent years, Hollywood has come far with their CGI technology, and in fact, it’s now powerful enough to bring deceased actors back to the screen.
Looking at the Peter Cushing case, the question is really one of copyright; whether Tyburn Film Productions' 1994 deal really did prohibit Lucasfilm from using Cushing’s likeness, effectively meaning they “own” it in perpetuity. Leaving aside the ethical considerations, ownership will always be the main legal issue. The matter will now be settled in court.
The Ethics Of Tarkin’s Return Remain Questionable
Should We Bring Back The Dead?
There’s always a tendency to overstate the importance of any legal case. This lawsuit isn’t about the ethical debate; it’s a simple question of ownership, and it sounds to be a thorny one due to the nature of the contracts involved. More interesting, though, is the question of whether it is ever right for a studio to claim ownership of a person’s likeness after their death, let alone reproduce it.
We saw just how controversial such issues can be after the passing of Carrie Fisher, with Lucasfilm publicly promising to be respectful givenPrincess Leia’s role inStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. That problem isn’t going to go away, especially nowStar Warsmovies and TV shows are expanding major Imperial conflicts at the time Leia was supposed to be a key player in the New Republic. Should there be recasts or CGI? Or should the narrative somehow write Leia out of the story inThe Mandalorianera?
This problem isn’t new, of course, but I think it’s the continuing evolution of digital technology that has made it particularly pressing. The uncanny valley is gradually closing, and CGI recreations are becoming indistinguishable from the real thing.Rogue One: A Star Wars Storywas a crucial step on a journey that may not be wise.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Cast
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a standalone film set in the Star Wars universe, where a group of resistance fighters, led by Jyn Erso, embarks on a mission to steal the Death Star plans. This pivotal event sets the stage for the iconic saga to follow.
