SAG-AFTRA has filed an unfair labor practice charge against Llama Productions, the Epic Games-owned studio behind Fortnite, alleging the company unlawfully replaced union voice actors with artificial intelligence (AI) to replicate the voice of Darth Vader without prior notice or bargaining.
The charge, submitted to the National Labor Relations Board on May 19, claims that Llama Productions violated the National Labor Relations Act by making unilateral changes to terms and conditions of employment. According to the filing, the company used AI-generated voice technology to perform work that had previously been handled by human voice actors in the popular online game. The union says this decision bypassed required negotiations and undermined the rights of unionized performers.
In a public statement, SAG-AFTRA emphasized that while it supports innovation and the use of digital replicas to preserve iconic roles, such technologies must be governed by fair labor practices. “We celebrate the right of our members and their estates to control the use of their digital replicas,” the union said, “but we must protect our right to bargain terms and conditions around uses of voice that replace the work of our members.”
The dispute centers on the iconic character of Darth Vader, whose distinct voice has been portrayed in past video games by union performers trained to match the rhythm and tone of the original films. SAG-AFTRA alleges that Llama Productions’ AI voice deployment in Fortnite was carried out without notice and deprived members of work they were contractually entitled to.
The complaint marks one of the highest-profile labor disputes to emerge from the entertainment industry’s accelerating use of generative AI. It also highlights growing tensions between labor unions and media companies experimenting with AI to cut costs or speed up production.
SAG-AFTRA’s filing reflects a broader push to codify protections for performers in an era where synthetic voices and deepfakes are increasingly common in film, television, and gaming. The union said the Fortnite case illustrates the urgent need for collective bargaining agreements to address emerging uses of AI.
The NLRB will now review the charge and determine whether to investigate or proceed with enforcement.
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