10 Worst Uses of De-Aging CGI in Hollywood History

De-aging CGI in films aims to turn back the clock on actors, letting them play younger versions of their characters with digital magic. When it goes wrong, though, it creates distracting, uncanny results that pull you out of the story, leaving faces looking waxy or just plain off.

I’ve picked 10 major films with the worst de-aging CGI, ranked from noticeable to outright jarring. Each entry dives into what makes these digital makeovers fail, from creepy textures to mismatched performances, showing how even big budgets can’t always conquer time.

‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ (2006) – Patrick Stewart as Young Charles Xavier

Stewart’s Xavier appears as a younger man in a flashback, but the CGI smooths his face into an unnatural, plastic-like mask. The effect clashes with his older voice and mannerisms, making the scene feel like a wax figure come to life.

The film’s early attempt at de-aging lacks the finesse of later tech, and it shows. For me, it’s a jarring moment that disrupts an otherwise emotional flashback.

‘Tron: Legacy’ (2010) – Jeff Bridges as Young Kevin Flynn/Clu

Bridges’ digital double, Clu, is meant to be a younger version of his 1980s self, but the CGI face looks stiff and expressionless. The uncanny valley effect makes Clu feel more like a video game avatar than a human.

The film’s ambitious visuals shine elsewhere, but Clu’s lifeless eyes are a letdown. I find this de-aging attempt bold but too robotic to feel real.

‘Terminator Genisys’ (2015) – Arnold Schwarzenegger as Young T-800

Schwarzenegger’s T-800 gets a digital facelift to match his 1984 look, but the CGI skin looks overly smooth and oddly lit. It doesn’t blend with the live-action body, creating a noticeable disconnect in action scenes.

The film tries hard to recapture the original’s vibe, but the de-aging falls flat. For me, it’s a clunky nod to nostalgia that feels more artificial than iconic.

‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ (2016) – Carrie Fisher as Young Princess Leia

Fisher’s Leia appears in a brief cameo, recreated with CGI to match her 1977 self. The digital face looks waxy, with stiff expressions that don’t capture her youthful spark, making the moment feel eerie.

The film’s heart is in the right place, but the tech wasn’t ready for this level of detail. I think Leia’s cameo is a brave try that lands in the uncanny valley.

‘Blade Runner 2049’ (2017) – Sean Young as Young Rachael

Young’s Rachael is brought back via CGI for a pivotal scene, but her digital face feels like a glossy mannequin. The lighting and texture don’t match the live-action cast, making her stand out awkwardly.

The film’s visuals are stunning overall, but here ‘appearance’ feels too forced and too artificial, pun intended.

‘The Irishman’ (2019) – Robert De Niro as Young Frank Sheeran

De Niro’s Sheeran appears in flashbacks as a younger man, but the CGI de-aging gives him an unnaturally smooth face that feels detached from his gritty performance. The effect, especially in early scenes, looks like a digital mask, clashing with the film’s realistic tone.

Scorsese’s direction is masterful, but the de-aging tech distracts from the emotional weight. For me, it’s a bold choice that undermines De Niro’s otherwise stellar work.

‘Captain Marvel’ (2019) – Samuel L. Jackson as Young Nick Fury

Jackson’s Fury, set in the 1990s, gets a digital makeover to look decades younger, but the CGI face is overly polished and lacks natural texture. His expressions feel stiff, making intense scenes feel like a video game cutscene.

The film’s vibrant energy carries it, but Fury’s uncanny look pulls you out. I find the de-aging a distracting flaw in an otherwise fun origin story.

‘Gemini Man’ (2019) – Will Smith as Young Henry Brogan

Smith’s younger clone, Junior, is a fully CGI creation meant to mimic his 1990s self, but the digital face looks like a smooth, lifeless puppet. The effect struggles in action scenes, where lighting and motion highlight its artificiality.

The film’s high-tech premise is bold, but the de-aging is its weakest link. For me, Junior’s plastic-like appearance overshadows Smith’s dynamic performance.

‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019) – Carrie Fisher as Young Leia (Training Scene)

Fisher’s Leia, recreated for a flashback training scene, has a digitally de-aged face that feels stiff and overly glossy. The effect doesn’t capture her youthful energy, making the moment feel more like a CGI stunt than a heartfelt nod.

The film leans heavily on nostalgia, but the tech falls short of Leia’s legacy. I think this attempt at de-aging is a well-meaning but awkward distraction.

‘It Chapter Two’ (2019) – Finn Wolfhard and Others as Young Losers’ Club

The young Losers’ Club, de-aged for flashbacks, have faces that look unnaturally smooth and slightly off, especially in close-ups. The CGI clashes with the actors’ older voices and movements, creating an eerie disconnect.

The film’s horror hits hard, but the de-aging feels like a rushed afterthought. For me, it’s a jarring choice that weakens the nostalgic return to Derry.

‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ (2018) – Michael Douglas as Young Hank Pym

Douglas’ Pym, shown in 1980s flashbacks, gets a CGI facelift that leaves his face looking waxy and expressionless. The digital sheen doesn’t blend with the live-action scenes, making him feel like a stiff digital double.

The film’s lighthearted tone carries it, but the de-aging looks dated even for its time. I find Pym’s uncanny face a distracting misstep in a fun Marvel romp.

Which de-aging CGI moment threw you out of a movie, or did I miss an awkward digital facelift? Share your thoughts in the comments!