The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Epic Games, the developer of the popular video game Fortnite, alleging the company’s subsidiary, Llama Productions, violated labor agreements by using artificial intelligence to replicate Darth Vader’s voice without proper notification or negotiation. The charge, submitted to the National Labor Relations Board, centers on the use of AI to replace human performers in Fortnite’s Star Wars crossover content.
According to the official filing on the SAG-AFTRA website, Llama Productions, a signatory to the union’s Interactive Media Agreement, utilized AI technology to generate Darth Vader’s iconic voice, bypassing the work of human voice actors. The union claims that Llama Productions “chose to replace the work of human performers with A.I. technology,” and “did so without providing any notice of their intent to do this and without bargaining with us over appropriate terms.” These actions, SAG-AFTRA argues, violate the collective bargaining agreement that governs voice-over and performance work in video games. The filing emphasizes the union’s stance that it “must protect our right to bargain terms and conditions around uses of voice that replace the work of our members, including those who previously did the work of matching Darth Vader’s iconic rhythm and tone in video games.”
The dispute highlights a growing tension between technological innovation and labor rights in the gaming and entertainment sectors. Fortnite, known for its high-profile collaborations with franchises like Star Wars, has increasingly incorporated AI-driven features, raising questions about the ethical and legal implications of replacing human talent. Darth Vader, a central figure in the Star Wars universe, has traditionally been voiced by performers such as James Earl Jones, whose distinctive delivery is synonymous with the character. The use of AI to replicate such performances has sparked debate about preserving the artistry of voice acting.
SAG-AFTRA’s charge is part of a broader push by the union to protect its members from the encroachment of AI technologies. In recent years, the organization has advocated for stricter regulations on digital voice and likeness replication, emphasizing the need for transparency and consent. The Fortnite case could set a significant precedent for how AI is integrated into interactive media, particularly in projects involving unionized performers.
Epic Games has not yet issued a public response to the filing. The National Labor Relations Board will review the charge to determine whether formal proceedings are warranted. Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA continues to rally support among its members, urging the industry to prioritize fair labor practices amid rapid technological advancements.
Recent Controversy Surrounding AI Darth Vader
The integration of AI-driven Darth Vader has not been without issues. As reported last week, shortly after the character’s debut on May 16, 2025, players exploited vulnerabilities in the AI’s language model, powered by Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash and ElevenLabs’ Flash v2.5, prompting Darth Vader to utter profanities, slurs, and other inappropriate responses. Clips circulated on social media showing the character swearing or making offensive remarks, such as disparaging comments about the Spanish language.
Epic Games responded swiftly, issuing a hotfix within 30 minutes to curb these responses, stating, “We pushed a hotfix immediately and this shouldn’t happen again.” Despite these efforts, the incident has fueled debates about the reliability and ethical implications of generative AI in interactive gaming, particularly for a character as iconic as Darth Vader.
Note: This article reports on a developing story. Please revisit for updates as we will provide additional details as they emerge.
