Argentine film to be the first with AI voice dubbing in original actors’ voices

The rise of AI-powered movie dubbing marks a significant shift in how foreign films may soon reach international audiences, with potential ripple effects across the entertainment industry.

The groundbreaking development: Argentine horror-fantasy film “The Witch Game” is set to become the first theatrically released movie using AI-generated dubbing to recreate the original actors’ voices in English.

• The film follows a young woman who receives a VR headset for her 18th birthday, transporting her to a mysterious magical school in another world
• Director Fabian Forte’s Harry Potter-inspired creation will bypass traditional dubbing methods, using AI to translate and synchronize dialogue while maintaining the original performers’ vocal characteristics
• The technology aims to preserve the emotional nuances and tone of the original Spanish-language performances

Technical innovation and market landscape: AI dubbing represents a growing technological trend with multiple companies developing similar solutions.

• Companies like Papercup, DeepDub, DubFormer, D-ID ElevenLabs are pioneering translation and re-dubbing tools
• The technology currently focuses primarily on marketing content and individual videos
• AI dubbing potentially offers a more cost-effective solution for independent films seeking international distribution

Industry concerns and resistance: The emergence of AI dubbing has sparked significant controversy within the entertainment industry.

• Voice actors argue that AI dubbing eliminates jobs for professionals skilled in conveying emotion and cultural nuances
• The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) recently included AI-related protections in their contract negotiations
• Robert Downey Jr. has threatened legal action against unauthorized AI voice cloning
• California has enacted legislation prohibiting unauthorized AI clone usage

Legal and ethical considerations: The implementation of AI dubbing raises complex questions about rights and compensation.

• Questions persist about actors’ rights to refuse AI voice cloning
• Compensation models for multiple language versions remain unclear
• Some precedent exists in James Earl Jones’s agreement with Disney regarding future use of his voice as Darth Vader

Looking ahead: While “The Witch Game” represents a relatively small-scale implementation of AI dubbing technology, its success or failure could significantly influence whether other independent filmmakers embrace this approach, potentially reshaping the landscape of international film distribution and raising new questions about the balance between technological innovation and artistic integrity.