The voice of Alain Dorval (Stallone's VF) resurrected in AI: the result is catastrophic

His daughter, Aurore Bergé, claims to have only given her consent for “a trial”. A deal that would not have been fully respected.

Variety published this weekend an article aboutArmorthe next action film starring Sylvester Stallone. A Lionsgate production released in November in American theaters, and expected here next March on Prime Video. We learn that the companies Lumiere Ventures and ElevenLabs were tasked by the production with testing dubbing carried out by artificial intelligence, so that in French, it would be the voice ofAlain Dorval which was used, almost a year after his death.

The actor was the official French voice of the star of Rocky and of Rambo for almost 50 years when he died on February 13. His daughter, the Minister of Equality between Women and Men and the Fight against Discrimination, Aurore Bergéis quoted in the English-speaking article, and she also reacted on X when an extract from the film leaked, and sparked strong reactions from fans of the actor.

Here is the video, criticized for the whole process, and more specifically for the side “robotics” of this VF, particularly during the exchange around 1.40 min:

Death of Alain Dorval at 77: Sylvester Stallone loses his French voice

“We have collaborated with Lumiere Ventures and the estate of Alain Dorval, the iconic French voice of Sylvester Stallone, to ensure that his work lives on and that French audiences hear the characters played by Sylvester Stallone as they always have.”can we read in the press release shared by Variety.

“AI does not replace the magic of human creativity, it opens new doors for it”, adds Eleven Labs CEO Mati Staniszewski. Recreating Alain Dorval's voice marks an opportunity to show how technology can honor tradition while creating new possibilities in film production.”

Xavier Collins, co-founder of Lumiere Ventures, presents this dubbing as follows:

“This project shows how dubbing can evolve. AI allows us to provide consistent localized versions of films while respecting the legacy of the voice actors who make these stories so memorable.”

“We wanted to do something that pays homage to the know-how and heritage of my father, finally adds the French minister. There is a big difference between artificially creating a new voice – and my father was strongly opposed to it – and to revive an actor whose voice is deeply anchored in our collective imagination.”

Questioned on social networks, Aurore Bergé specifies:

“I gave my agreement for a test. Only a test. An agreement strictly guaranteeing me that my mother and I would be in final validation before any use/publication. And that nothing could be done without our agreement. I find out. .. on

To which the YouTuber Benzaie and the dubbing actor Donald Reignoux (voice of Titeuf and Spider-Man, among others), reacted by worrying that this type of practice would be more widely developed, and end up killing the profession of doubler. The hashtag #touchepasamavf was launched to warn of possible abuses of AI within this profession.

“You may be a fan but I'm his daughter, she replies. Je know what I authorized and what I did not authorize in any way. I would never have authorized anything that could in any way harm the memory of my father.”

“But why a test? then asks Reignoux, who insists on the fact that the approach itself poses a problem, beyond its validation or not. Your father was a great dubbing man and I think, this is just my opinion, would not have liked to take the first step towards the destruction of the profession that he loved so much and what's more…. Defended.”

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