Barry Jenkins Would Refuse To Use AI for James Earl Jones’ Mufasa Voice, Even With Permission

Filmmaker Barry Jenkins made it clear that he would not have used AI to replicate James Earl Jones’ iconic voice for Mufasa, even if the legendary actor granted permission.

Jenkins’ stance comes at a time when AI technology is increasingly being used in Hollywood, sparking debates about its implications for creativity, ethics, and the future of performance art.

Back in September, we learned that James Earl Jones signed over the rights to use AI to recreate his voice for future projects involving Darth Vader, a character he has voiced since the beginning of the Star Wars franchise in 1977.

With his permission, his iconic portrayal can continue beyond his ability to perform but has also raised questions about the role of AI in preserving or replacing human artistry.

When asked if he would consider using AI to replicate Jones’ voice for Mufasa: The Lion King, he rejected the idea.

“No, no, I wouldn’t have,” Jenkins said in an exclusive interview with The Quintessential Gentleman. “I wanted the voice that audiences are connected to. Especially making this movie, where we’re recontextualizing who this character is, and yet it still is that character. I wanted to take the actual performance that we know—the thing that actually moved us—and just remind us of that quality.”

In the opening scene of Mufasa, Jenkins paid tribute to Jones by including his iconic “Look at the Stars” monologue from the original film. The tribute concluded with the message “In Remembrance of James Earl Jones” after the monologue ended.

Jenkins emphasized that his goal was to honor the essence of Mufasa’s character, not to recreate or manufacture a new interpretation.

“We’re not trying to recreate something or create something new. We’re trying to just remind you of exactly who this character is,” he said.

Jenkins’ comments tap into a larger industry-wide conversation about the use of AI. While AI can preserve iconic performances, critics argue it risks diluting the authenticity of human artistry. The recent SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes raised concerns about AI’s potential to replace creative jobs and devalue original work.

Check out the full interview.