A high court legal battle over the use of the likeness of Peter Cushing in 2016’s Rogue One was recently ruled by a judge to go to trial, but in two days time a Sky documentary called Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters will present an AI version of Cushing with all necessary permissions sought and granted to make it happen. Deadline take a closer look at the details of this interesting turn of events.
Fans of Peter Cushing are in for a Halloween treat, with the iconic Frankenstein star the latest to be resurrected by AI.
In Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters, a Sky doc airing in two days’ time, viewers will be treated to a “powerful and poignant reveal of Hammer royalty,” Sky said, with what is being described as a “special homage” to Cushing.
Cushing, who died in 1994, played Doctor Van Helsing in five Dracula films and Baron Frankenstein in six movies from that franchise. He will be the latest celebrity given the AI resurrection treatment. Yesterday, the doc’s producer Deep Fusion Films unveiled a “world first” podcast hosted by a replica of the late chat show presenter Michael Parkinson.
Narrated by Charles Dance, the doc is celebrating Hammer Films‘ 90th birthday and will track its progression from a back office in London’s Regent Street to its iconic status within the horror film genre.
Watch this Q&A after the first screening of the film, with guest host Rich Johnston.
Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters Q&A after Leicester Square screening, including the original ending, for Bleeding Cool. With Caroline Munro of Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter, Madeline Smith of The Vampire Lovers and Martine Beswick of One Million Years B.C., Nicholas Briggs, director Benjamin Field and John Gore, Chairman and Owner of Hammer Films.
