I recently watched The Book of Boba Fett. Despite pacing issues holding it back from being on-par with The Mandalorian, I quite liked it. I especially appreciate its running commentary on colonialism. It’s telling how a Star Wars property can touch on real-world issues without being preachy. But this isn’t about that.
In January of 2021, I wrote about the finale of Season 2 of The Mandalorian. I enjoyed the episode, even considering it some of the show’s best writing. But there was a problem with it that still sticks out now: the inclusion of Luke Skywalker. Because while it might’ve made sense thematically and narratively to have him return, the de-aging software used to make Mark Hamill look 30+ years younger felt off. Not to mention, his presence was empty fan-service.
I mention this because, sadly, Luke’s back in his de-aged form for Episode 6 of The Book of Boba Fett. Ignoring how his subplot with Grogu detracts from the main story, Luke looks better here than in The Mandalorian. The issue, however, is his voice. His line-reads don’t feel natural. And given how this was done with “Deepfake Technology”, it makes me uncomfortable.
I’m not alone. When Episode 6 dropped, that was all the talk. Fans bickered back-and-forth about it, with both sides bringing up points I agree with, but not fully. On one hand, Luke Skywalker being younger here than in the Star Wars Sequels makes sense: it takes place roughly 30 years prior, so Luke has to look age-appropriate. Additionally, he isn’t jaded by his failure with Ben Solo yet, so he’d have that wide-eyed innocence still. With both combined, I understand why the show did this. Especially since Mark Hamill isn’t getting younger.
On the other hand, there are ethical concerns with AI-generated Deepfake acting. Not only is it using someone’s likeness without consent, it adds to robots being cheaper and easier than humans. Remember, digital technology in entertainment has ripple effects, and some aren’t positive. I’ll forever defend computers in film and TV, especially if practical effects don’t cut it, but there are lines I won’t cross. Replacing an actor with a computerized fake is one of them.
This isn’t the first time Star Wars has done this. Remember Star Wars: Rogue One? It recreated two cast members, Moff Tarkin and Princess Leia. In both cases, their original actors, Peter Cushing and Carrie Fisher, were dead, so it rebuilt their likeness from the ground up. And it never looked right.
Deepfake Luke never actually has that issue. But whereas he looks perfect, he doesn’t sound perfect. His inflection never hits the right notes, instead coming off as wooden. For a character so prominently featured in the episode, it’s jarring. It’s also concerning.
This isn’t the first time Star Wars has done this. Remember Star Wars: Rogue One? It recreated two cast members, Moff Tarkin and Princess Leia. In both cases, their original actors, Peter Cushing and Carrie Fisher, were dead, so it rebuilt their likeness from the ground up. And it never looked right.
Deepfake Luke never actually has that issue. But whereas he looks perfect, he doesn’t sound perfect. His inflection never hits the right notes, instead coming off as wooden. For a character so prominently featured in the episode, it’s jarring. It’s also concerning.
One of the biggest critiques is how this feels like a response to Old Man Luke from Star Wars: The Last Jedi. That Luke was an old, tired and broken man who, with the help of Rey, regains control of his life and trolls his nephew in a last hurrah. I liked that portrayal, but it’s split fans. Some thought it was a brilliant continuation of what came before, and others felt it a betrayal of Luke Skywalker. I, honestly, think the debate’s migraine-inducing, and I wish it’d stop. But since Star Wars fans keep dragging it out...
Anyway, the complaint is that detractors of Old Man Luke were openly-toxic, and so Disney’s ruining Star Wars to cater to them. That’s, obviously, bad for the franchise, and it should stop. But even so, I think the reaction’s overblown. I don’t like that Star Wars can’t let the Skywalker family go, but it doesn’t warrant the ire. If anything, it’s more an issue for acting in general.
I also won’t pretend that the adoration of this version of Luke isn’t an issue. It is. Luke Skywalker as the immortalized saint isn’t only demeaning to his growth, it also misses the point of his journey in the first place. Remember, Luke was never meant to be idolized. His early films had him as cocky, whiney and angsty, while Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi had him teetering toward The Dark Side. (There’s a reason why he wore black clothing.)
Anyway, the complaint is that detractors of Old Man Luke were openly-toxic, and so Disney’s ruining Star Wars to cater to them. That’s, obviously, bad for the franchise, and it should stop. But even so, I think the reaction’s overblown. I don’t like that Star Wars can’t let the Skywalker family go, but it doesn’t warrant the ire. If anything, it’s more an issue for acting in general.
I also won’t pretend that the adoration of this version of Luke isn’t an issue. It is. Luke Skywalker as the immortalized saint isn’t only demeaning to his growth, it also misses the point of his journey in the first place. Remember, Luke was never meant to be idolized. His early films had him as cocky, whiney and angsty, while Star Wars Ep. VI: Return of the Jedi had him teetering toward The Dark Side. (There’s a reason why he wore black clothing.)
By treating Luke Skywalker like a god, you rob him of that. Besides, Old Man Luke was risky. You can argue how effective it was, and I’d rather not go there, but it was something. Luke taking down Darktroopers, or even being another Yoda, doesn’t add anything new. And that’s where the issue lies.
If it feels like I’m taking forever to get to my point, it’s only because I care. I love Star Wars. Even the bad Star Wars, of which there’s a lot! But the fanbase frustrates me because of their constant infighting and gatekeeping, and that’s not good. It turns people off, which sucks because Star Wars has plenty to offer. There’s a reason I compared it to Dungeons and Dragons, after all!
We need to establish common ground on what we want from this franchise, seeing as it’ll keep trucking at this point. Should Star Wars only be about nostalgia, or should it chart new territory? Should it play it safe, or should it take risks? Does it want to be a fans-only franchise, or does it want a new base too? It can’t always have its cake and eat it too, as that’ll lead to disaster. Deepfake Luke Skywalker is one example of that.
If it feels like I’m taking forever to get to my point, it’s only because I care. I love Star Wars. Even the bad Star Wars, of which there’s a lot! But the fanbase frustrates me because of their constant infighting and gatekeeping, and that’s not good. It turns people off, which sucks because Star Wars has plenty to offer. There’s a reason I compared it to Dungeons and Dragons, after all!
We need to establish common ground on what we want from this franchise, seeing as it’ll keep trucking at this point. Should Star Wars only be about nostalgia, or should it chart new territory? Should it play it safe, or should it take risks? Does it want to be a fans-only franchise, or does it want a new base too? It can’t always have its cake and eat it too, as that’ll lead to disaster. Deepfake Luke Skywalker is one example of that.
Also, can people in the fandom stop being so hostile? It’s not winning anyone favours.
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