Morgan Freeman recently told The Guardian that he is pissed off when it comes to AI recreating his iconic voice without his consent. The Oscar winner said his “lawyers have been very, very busy” as of late working to remove all unauthorized uses of his voice off the internet.
“I’m a little PO’d, you know,” Freeman said. “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.”
Freeman previously hit out against AI in June 2024, thanks his fans on X for calling out examples of AI ripping off Freeman’s voice for advertisements the actor has not signed off on to promote. He wrote at the time: “Thank you to my incredible fans for your vigilance and support in calling out the unauthorized use of an A.I. voice imitating me. Your dedication helps authenticity and integrity remain paramount. Grateful. #AI #scam #imitation #IdentityProtection”
The actor joins a long list of fellow industry professionals who have spoken out against AI using their likeness without consent. Scarlet Johansson has been on the forefront of the anti-AI battle, criticizing OpenAI last year for using a voice similar to hers after she turned down the company’s request to use her direct speaking voice. Johansson said she was “shocked” and “angered” by OpenAI’s decision. Other celebrities, however, have been leaning in to AI. Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine recently inked a deal with AI audio company ElevenLabs to produce virtual replications of their famous voices.
As for Morgan, he’s been making the press rounds in support of his role in “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.” The actor has appeared in all three “Now You See Me” movies. The latest installment is Freeman’s sole release of 2025, which is unusual for the actor. Even at 88 years old, Freeman has been averaging three film releases a year over the last several years.
“Sometimes the idea of retirement would float past me but, as soon as my agent says there’s a job or somebody wants you or they’ve made an offer, the whole thing just boils back into where it was yesterday: how much you’re going to pay, where we’re gonna be?” Freeman told The Guardian.
“The appetite is still there. I will concede that it’s dimmed a little. But not enough to make a serious difference,” he concluded.
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Head over to The Guardian’s website to read Freeman’s latest profile in its entirety.
From Variety US