Morgan Freeman Isn’t Having It — Sues Over AI Voice Copies

Morgan Freeman, known for his calm and powerful voice, is now fighting to protect it. The 88-year-old actor has begun legal action against people and companies using artificial intelligence to copy his voice without permission.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Freeman confirmed that his lawyers are already handling several cases.

Freeman said his famous voice didn’t come naturally; it took training and discipline. He learned the art of speaking clearly and deeply from his college instructor, Robert Whitman, back in Los Angeles.

“If you’re going to speak, speak distinctly, hit your final consonants and do exercises to lower your voice,” Freeman recalled. “Most people’s voices are higher than they would be normally if they knew how to relax it. He taught that sort of thing. It was Robert Whitman: I will never forget him.”

However, that hard-earned voice has now become the target of AI cloning. With new technology, it’s possible to recreate the voices and appearances of famous actors. Some, like the late James Earl Jones, have allowed their voices to be used for characters such as Darth Vader through AI.

Freeman, however, is firmly against it. “I’m a little PO’d, you know,” he admitted. “I’m like any other actor: don’t mimic me with falseness. I don’t appreciate it and I get paid for doing stuff like that, so if you’re gonna do it without me, you’re robbing me.”

When asked if he has already found cases of this happening, Freeman didn’t hesitate. “Well, I tell you, my lawyers have been very, very busy,” he said. “Many, yeah. Quite a few.”

Freeman also commented on the growing presence of digital performers in Hollywood, including Tilly Norwood, a computer-generated “AI actor” revealed earlier this year. “Nobody likes her because she’s not real and that takes the part of a real person,” Freeman said. “It’s not going to work out very well in the movies or in television … The union’s job is to keep actors acting, so there’s going to be that conflict.”

While Freeman is fighting back, other stars are embracing AI technology. Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine have teamed up with the AI company ElevenLabs to create digital versions of their voices.

McConaughey, who has supported the company since its launch in 2022, is even investing in it. He’s using the technology to produce a Spanish-language version of his newsletter Lyrics of Livin’, featuring his AI voice.

Caine’s AI-generated voice was used in a company video where he said, “Each new advancement in technology is met with caution — and rightly so. But every single time, the human drive for passion, artistry and creativity prevails. Because technology is just the medium. This is humanity — amplified.”

The rise of AI in entertainment has created a clear divide among actors. Some see it as innovation; others view it as a threat to creative work and identity. For Freeman, it’s simple, his voice is part of who he is, and he won’t let technology take that away.

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