Academy Award-winning actor says his lawyers are already ‘very, very busy’ on artificial intelligence cases

Morgan Freeman said his lawyers are already “very, very busy” tackling unauthorized artificial intelligence (AI) uses of his voice that have left the actor feeling “a little PO’d.”

“Many, yeah. Quite a few,” Freeman told The Guardian on Monday when asked about ongoing cases.

While promoting his latest film, “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” the 88-year-old actor discussed his views on artificial intelligence replicating actors’ voices after their deaths, such as the late James Earl Jones.

Jones had given Lucasfilm permission to continue using his voice as Darth Vader through AI technology before his death, but Freeman strongly disagreed with the idea.

“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 also criticized the creation of AI actress “Tilly Norwood,” which sparked widespread condemnation from actors’ unions when she was introduced in September.

“Nobody likes her because she’s not real and that takes the part of a real person, so it’s not going to work out very well in the movies or in television … The union’s job is to keep actors acting, so there’s going to be that conflict,” Freeman said.

Fox News Digital reached out to Freeman’s representative for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Freeman has been subjected to several AI deepfakes over the years and has spoken out against its uses. In 2024, he thanked his social media followers for reporting an AI video using his voice on TikTok.

“Thank you to my incredible fans for your vigilance and support in calling out the unauthorized use of an A.I. voice imitating me,” he wrote to his Facebook. “Your dedication helps authenticity and integrity remain paramount. Grateful. #AI #scam #imitation #IdentityProtection.”

During the interview, Freeman also discussed his iconic voice, describing how he developed it with the help of a diction instructor at his Los Angeles community college.

Freeman’s post followed a wave of reports from fans who flagged scam ads and robocalls using a computer-generated version of his voice to hawk sketchy products and “investment” schemes. The Academy Award winner didn’t mince words about the harm these fakes cause—not only to his brand, but to consumers who trust the sound of a familiar narrator. “A voice carries credibility,” he said. “When bad actors hijack it, they’re not just stealing from me—they’re stealing your confidence in what’s real.”

He urged platforms to move faster against synthetic impersonation, calling for clear labels on AI-generated audio, quick takedowns, and account bans for repeat offenders. “This isn’t about fear of technology,” Freeman emphasized. “It’s about consent and accountability. If it’s synthetic, say so. If you profit from a person’s likeness, get permission.” He added that he’s exploring new watermarking tools, along with legal options, to deter misuse.

Freeman also used the moment to mentor young performers. The voice, he said, is an instrument—and it can be trained. He described hours of breath work, tongue-twisters, and “final-consonant drills” that still live in his muscle memory from those Los Angeles community college sessions with Robert Whitman. “He changed my life,” Freeman said. “He showed me that clarity is respect: respect for the listener and for the story.” For aspiring actors and broadcasters, his advice was simple: read aloud daily, record yourself, listen back, and practice lowering tension in the throat. “Most people are speaking through a clenched jaw and don’t know it,” he said.

The actor’s message resonated because it balanced vigilance with gratitude. He thanked fans for reporting impostors, and he asked them to keep sending links and screenshots when they spot fraud. “Community beats the con,” he wrote. “The more eyes we have, the faster the truth wins.”

Industry groups are taking note. Talent advocates have been pressing for “voice rights” language in contracts—consent, compensation, watermarking and takedown cooperation—which Freeman publicly endorsed. “Innovation and integrity can coexist,” he said. “All we’re asking for is a rulebook that honors both.”

In the end, Freeman returned to the craft that made the conversation possible. “The job is to serve the story,” he said. “Speak distinctly. Tell the truth. And never let an imitation drown out the real thing.”

Freeman also signaled support for emerging legislation that treats voice as protected likeness, aligning with recent union pushes to curb unlicensed cloning across film, TV, and audiobooks. He’s in talks with advocacy groups on a public-service announcement urging viewers to verify before they buy, and with studios to pilot “truth tags” in trailers and promos that instantly flag synthetic narration. To honor Whitman’s impact, Freeman said he’s endowing a small scholarship for diction and vocal health at his former community college, paired with free workshops on breath, clarity, and ethical AI. “Guard the craft,” he said. “Guard the audience. When we do both, technology becomes a tool—not a disguise.”

“If you’re going to speak, speak distinctly, hit your final consonants and do exercises to lower your voice,” Freeman said. “Most people’s voices are higher than they would be normally if they knew how to relax it. He taught that sort of thing. It was Robert Whitman: I will never forget him.“