Sooner or later, beloved actors pass away, leaving fans with only old films to remember them by. However, modern technology now allows filmmakers to 'resurrect' late movie stars through digital replicas. Here are some notable examples.
Fast & Furious — Paul Walker
Known worldwide as Brian O’Conner in the Fast & Furious franchise, Paul Walker tragically died in a car accident in 2013 during the filming of the seventh movie. Director James Wan faced a tough decision: much of the film had already been shot. Should they write off Brian’s character or use a double? Wan enlisted Walker’s brothers, Caleb and Cody, to stand in for him, with Paul’s face digitally added in post-production. Walker also made cameo appearances in Fast & Furious 9 and Fast X through CGI.
Superman Returns — Marlon Brando
The Hollywood legend passed away in 2004 at age 80, yet his final film appearance came two years later. Brando portrayed Jor-El, Superman’s father, in the 1978 film Superman. Fans loved his charismatic portrayal, prompting the creators of Superman Returns (2006) to include a CGI cameo of Brando, bringing him back to the screen.
The Crow — Brandon Lee
The son of Bruce Lee died tragically on the set of The Crow after an accidental gunshot wound. Producers debated whether to finish the film but ultimately decided to proceed. Some scenes were cut, and for others, a body double was used with Lee’s face digitally superimposed. While 1990s technology was limited compared to today, most viewers couldn’t tell where the edits were made.
Star Wars — Carrie Fisher
Fisher was just 19 when she played Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy. She reprised her role in 2015 when the franchise was revived. Fisher passed away in 2016 at 60, shortly after filming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The film used a digital version of Leia by blending a younger actress’s face with CGI and archival voice recordings. Fisher’s digital likeness also appeared in two subsequent Star Wars films.
