Star Wars Rogue One: Bringing this character to life could cost Disney dearly

Eight years after the release of the film Rogue One: a Star Wars story, the Disney group is being sued because of a decision made by the film's teams. We explain everything to you.

Rogue One: Disney in court

Released in 2016, a year after Just after J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens,Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the first spin-off film in the Star Wars universe and arguably the most acclaimed production of the Disney era. Directed by Gareth Edwards, the film shines as much for its effective screenplay as for its careful staging, enhanced by the exceptional photography of Greg Freiser (Dune, The Batman). The success of the feature film will also push Lucasfilm to produce a prequel series, Star Wars: Andor, considered the best Star Wars series to date.

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However, despite this huge public and critical success, the Disney group will soon be dragged before the courts because of a decision taken during the production of Rogue One: a Star Wars story. Indeed, we learn today in The Times that the British producer Kevin Francis is suing the group with the big ears for the use of the image of the English actor Peter Cushing, who died in 1994 and was digitally recreated for the film.

A close friend of Peter Cushing, Kevin Francis explains that the actor who became known in the legendary Hammer studio productions had given him the power to authorize or prohibit the use of his image. The producer claims that Disney did not ask him for permission; the group had in fact turned to Cushing's family before digitally resurrecting Grand Moff Tarkin. Moreover, it is not known whether justice will rule in favor of Kevin Francis or Disney. Indeed, the facts date back eight years, and one can wonder about the reasons that pushed the British producer to wait so long before bringing the case before the courts. Nevertheless, this case poses a real ethical problem, especially since Disney is often confronted with it, as with the return of Ian Holm in Alien: Romulus, despite his death in 2020. To be continued!