Although the likeness of Keanu Reeves has been recreated using technology for inclusion in games, he maintains a strong stance on preserving the authenticity of his likeness in films.
In a recent interview with Wired, Keanu Reeves expressed his concerns regarding deepfake technology. He emphasized that he has not signed any contracts that would allow studios to alter his likeness using this technology.
“I wouldn’t mind if someone made a deepfake of my face,” Reeves stated. “But before that, back in the 2000s or late 90s, my appearances have been altered. They added some water effects to my face […] I feel, I just need to be here performing what I do.”
“When you get involved in a film, you know that your character will change a little bit, but you are directly participating in that process,” Reeves added. “But if the deepfake technology continues to advance, this character won’t have your perspective. The results can be quite alarming. Then we will see how we deal with these technologies moving forward. They are having a huge impact on culture and society, and even various genres are being researched further. Right now, we have a lot of data about [living beings’] behavior.”
According to Reeves, a recent conversation with a 15-year-old made him realize a concerning perspective. He connected with the teenager over Neo – the main character in the iconic Matrix series – and Neo’s battle against various threats. The teenager inquired: “Who would care if it’s real or not?”
The teenager’s comment left a lasting impression on Keanu Reeves. “[The future] is evolving with these technologies: We are already hearing music created by AI in the style of Nirvana, as well as NFT artworks,” he remarked. “It’s quite random, like ‘Look at those old machines that could do this!’ But behind that are constantly evolving ways to control. In terms of culture and society, we need to confront the value of what is real and what isn’t.”
“We are currently trapped, looking up at the ceiling and only seeing a shadow of what is real, and we don’t have the chance to turn around and see what lies behind us,” Reeves added, referencing Plato’s allegory of the cave – a place where a group of people cannot distinguish reality from shadows cast on a wall, suggesting that the true reality is beyond their immediate perception.
Many have raised warnings about the detrimental effects of deepfake technology. However, to this day, we still lack a comprehensive understanding of how to uncover deepfake products.
The essence of technology, or rather the artificial intelligence that is emerging today, is becoming increasingly evident. If we do not have proper standards in place, we risk living in a distorted reality that could be deceptive.
