Latest news with #Mrs.Doubtfire
Buzz Feed
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Robin Williams's Daughter On AI, Matthew Lawrence Backlash
Back in 2023, Robin Williams's daughter, Zelda, passionately spoke out against the 'disturbing' idea of artificial intelligence being used to recreate her late dad's voice, with the hugely beloved actor dying by suicide in 2014 at age 63. Robin was famously very protective of the use of his voice work in life, and even feuded with Disney after they used his Aladdin character, the Genie, to sell merchandise. The feud was so dramatic that Robin didn't return for the animated movie's sequel, and Homer Simpson voice actor, Dan Castellaneta, was cast to replace him as the Genie instead. Robin did return for the third movie, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, two years later. And Zelda advocated for her father in a statement that was issued in support of the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild's fight against AI two years ago. She wrote at the time: 'I am not an impartial voice in the SAG's fight against AI. I've witnessed for YEARS how many people want to train these models to create/ recreate actors who cannot consent, like Dad.' 'This isn't theoretical, it is very very real. I've already heard AI used to get his 'voice' to say whatever people want and while I find it personally disturbing, the ramifications go far beyond my own feelings,' she went on. 'Living actors deserve a chance to create characters with their choices, to voice cartoons, to put their HUMAN effort and time into the pursuit of performance.''These recreations are, at the very best, a poor facsimile of greater people, but at their worst, a horrendous Frankensteinian monster, cobbled together from the worst bits of everything this industry is, instead of what it should stand for,' Zelda concluded the post. And this is why people have been left so mad at Matthew Lawrence — who worked with Robin as a child star — after he recently doubled down on his wish to use AI to do 'something really special' in Robin's memory. For reference, Matthew was 12 years old when he played Robin's son Chris in the 1993 movie Mrs. Doubtfire. He was already a pretty established child actor by the time that he landed the role, but he has always been incredibly open about how influential working with Robin on this film was for him. "He stayed a part of my life, you know?' the now-45-year-old star told People earlier this year. 'That movie could have wrapped [and] like everybody else, he could have gone his separate way, but he didn't.''He stayed invested, and he gave me some incredible life lessons that definitely kept me from some dark places at times. And I'll just never be able to thank him enough for that,' Matthew added. In a separate interview with Entertainment Weekly, Matthew shared: 'I didn't quite realize it at the time, but that moment there on set of Mrs. Doubtfire, that those six to eight months were the biggest learning curve anyone can get when it comes to making movies and being an entertainer.' 'And then on top of that, you get a chance to be around Robin Williams, and he takes an investment in you, as he does with people. But in particular, he really took an investment with me,' he went on. "He really quantified what it was to be a real artist for me in the sense that he was definitely, and I worked with some great people, and he was definitely the most brilliant artist I've ever worked with.' 'But on top of that, he had the compassion, he had the humility, and he also had these things that he struggled with,' Matthew noted. 'Man, it's a real shame that he's not with us. There's not a day that goes by that I don't hear his voice,' he then told the publication. 'I even wish, now with artificial intelligence, I kind of want to go to his family and be like: 'Would you guys allow me to use his voice for some sort of creative expression?' Because I hear it every day, in my head.' And Matthew doubled down on his idea to use AI to bring Robin's voice back to the masses during his appearance in Entertainment Weekly's Comic-Con video suite on Friday — and it did not go down well with fans. In the conversation, Matthew explained: 'I would love — obviously, with the respect and with the OK from his family — I would love to do something really special with his voice because I know for a generation, that voice is just so iconic.''It's not just the fact that I knew him and worked with him and so it's in my head — it's in everybody's head. And it would be so cool,' Matthew went on, before detailing that the idea came to him after he watched one of Robin's old commercials. 'It's kinda like this very contemporary, modern, almost sort of foreshadowing of what's going on commercial that he did, where he did this computerized voiceover,' Matthew shared. 'And it always stuck with me. And then, during his passing, with the AI coming out, I'm like: 'Man, he's gotta be the voice of AI. He's gotta be the voice in something.' So yeah, I would love to do that.' But this idea sparked instant criticism on social media, with one hugely viral tweet responding to Matthew's quotes simply reading: 'Tell him to fuck off.' 'No. Let the man rest and our memories of him go on,' somebody else wrote, while another tweeted: 'The possibility of exploiting the talent of dead people through AI is sincerely one of its most repugnant uses, utterly disrespectful for artist of the past and the future.' And one more added: 'theres no amount of respect or consent from his family that would ever make it okay to use AI on a person especially if theyve passed away.' Others referenced Zelda's past comments, with one person sharing a screenshot of a news article about her quotes and writing: "Yeah, I doubt Matthew Lawrence is going to get that permission..." "Zelda would never be okay with it. You'll never see him in AI. Don't even bother asking the first time," somebody else wrote: "His daughter, Zelda Williams would absolutely refuse. She absolutely hates it when people use AI to impersonate her father." What do you make of Matthew's comments? Let me know down below!
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Free outdoor movie nights bring classic films to San Francisco's Union Square
Imagine watching the opening scene of Alfred Hitchcock's ' The Birds,' with star Tippi Hedren crossing in front of San Francisco's Union Square as the title creatures begin to amass, while actually seated on Union Square. That will happen, thanks to 'Cinema on the Square,' a free three-film Saturday night outdoor movie series that begins Aug. 16 with ' Mrs. Doubtfire,' Chris Columbus ' 1993 San Francisco-shot comedy classic starring Robin Williams. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a preshow that includes a Mrs. Doubtfire look-alike contest. Other screenings include ' Big Hero 6 ' (2014), an animated robotics and tech movie set in 'San Fransokyo,' on Sept. 20; and 'The Birds' (1963), which was filmed mostly in Bodega Bay, on Oct. 4. Each screening will be preceded by a preshow featuring movie trivia, prizes and entertainment. For more information, go to The series is presented by Mayor Daniel Lurie, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, Alamo Drafthouse and Biederman Redevelopment Ventures Corporation, a consulting firm tasked with programming and reimagining Union Square. 'Our administration is working every day to bring energy and vibrancy back to downtown, and events like Cinema on the Square are building on that momentum,' Lurie said in a statement. 'When downtown is dynamic, visitors come to our city and support our businesses and restaurants — that's how we support our economic recovery.' Cinema on the Square is billed as the latest in BRV's 200 days of programming in Union Square, part of Lurie's efforts to reinvigorate the beleaguered district, which the city says is visited by 10 million people a year and offers more than 4.8 million square feet of retail space. 'We want everyone to feel like there's something for them downtown. Whether you're a shopper, food-lover, or just enjoy people-watching — there's a lot of new energy in and around Union Square, and these free movie nights add another reason to make a day of it,' said OEWD Executive Director Anne Taupier in a statement. And watch out for those birds.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Mrs. Doubtfire' Star Matthew Lawrence Wants to Resurrect Robin Williams' Voice Using AI and Says ‘It Would Be So Cool': ‘He's Gotta Be the Voice of AI'
Matthew Lawrence, who was just a pre-teen when he starred opposite Robin Williams in the 1993 blockbuster comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' told Entertainment Weekly at Comic-Con that he is interested in resurrecting the late Williams' voice using artificial intelligence. Williams died in August 2014 at 63 years old. 'I would love — now, obviously, with the respect and with the OK from his family — but I would love to do something really special with his voice because I know for a generation, that voice is just so iconic,' Lawrence said. 'It's not just the fact that I knew him and worked with him and so it's in my head — it's in everybody's head. And it would be so cool.' More from Variety Robin Williams' 'Popeye' Had the 'Most Coked-Up Film Set' and 'Everyone Was Stoned,' Says Former Studio Boss: 'They Were Shipping' Cocaine in Film Canisters Greg Cannom, Oscar-Winning Makeup and Prosthetics Artist on 'Mrs. Doubtfire' and 'Vice', Dies at 73 'The Masked Singer' Reveals Identity of Paparazzo: Here Is the Celebrity Under the Costume Lawrence said that he recently came across an old television commercial that featured voiceover from Williams, which sparked the idea of finding a way to bring the iconic comedian's voice back to life. 'It's kinda like this very contemporary, modern, almost sort of foreshadowing of what's going on commercial that he did, where he did this computerized voiceover,' Lawrence said. 'And it always stuck with me. And then, during his passing, with the AI coming out, I'm like, 'Man, he's gotta be the voice of AI, He's gotta be the voice in something.' So yeah, I would love to do that.' Lawrence added the possibilities are endless when it comes bringing Williams' voice back with AI, including having Williams giving you driving directions on your phone. The actor said: 'It would be Robin! It would be so cool. I'm telling you.' With just over $440 million at the worldwide box office, 'Mrs. Doubtfire' was one of Williams' biggest comedy films. Lawrence told People magazine last year that Williams gave him a 'gift' on set by advising him never to do drugs. Williams battled substance abuse throughout his career. Lawrence cited Williams' advice as the reason he stayed away from drugs as he grew up in Hollywood. 'He was the first adult who really let me in on his condition. Like, full-on let me in,' Lawrence said. 'I mean, as bright as he was on camera — I would go visit him in his trailer to talk to him — it was painful for him. It's really painful for him. He didn't hide it. He talked to me about it.' Lawrence recalled Williams telling him, 'Don't ever do drugs. Especially cocaine.' 'He was very serious,' Lawrence added. 'He was like, 'You know when you come to my trailer and you see me like that?' He's like, 'That's the reason why. And now I'm fighting for the rest of my life because I spent 10 years doing something very stupid every day. Do not do it.' I stayed away from it because of him.' Lawrence might not have been cast in 'Mrs. Doubtfire' if it wasn't for Williams in the first place. The actor said that casting for the role of Chris Hillard came down to him and another child star. The studio allegedly preferred the other actor, but that changed after Williams pulled a prank on Lawrence during an audition. '[Robin] very secretly reached behind my back and pinched me so hard,' Lawrence said, adding the pinch made him shout out in pain. 'The studio started bawling and wept. I got the role because of that little moment over the other boy. It was all Robin Williams. 'I know what I'm going to do to get this kid this job.' Thank you, Rob.'Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Matthew Lawerence wants to resurrect Robin Williams' voice with AI
Matthew Lawrence wants to resurrect Robin Williams with a modern-day twist. Lawrence, 45, told Entertainment Weekly at San Diego Comic-Con over the weekend that he wants his 'Mrs. Doubtfire' co-star — who died by suicide at age 63 in 2014 — to become the new 'voice of AI.' 'I would love — now, obviously, with the respect and with the okay from his family — but I would love to do something really special with his voice because I know for a generation, that voice is just so iconic,' Lawrence said. Advertisement 9 Matthew Lawrence, Rozonda 'Chili' Thomas at San Diego Comic-Con on July 26. WireImage 9 Robin Williams at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in 2006. Getty Images 'It's not just the fact that I knew him and worked with him and so it's in my head — it's in everybody's head,' the actor added. 'And it would be so cool.' Advertisement The idea, according to Lawrence, recently came to him when he was watching an old television commercial with Williams' voice. 9 Robin Williams, Matthew Lawrence, Mara Wilson, Lisa Jakub in 'Mrs. Doubtfire.' ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection 'It's kinda like this very contemporary, modern, almost sort of foreshadowing of what's going on commercial that he did, where he did this computerized voiceover,' Lawrence explained. 'And it always stuck with me.' 'And then, during his passing, with the AI coming out, I'm like, 'Man, he's gotta be the voice of A.I. He's gotta be the voice in something,'' the 'Boy Meets World' star continued. 'So yeah, I would love to do that.' Advertisement 9 Matthew Lawrence, Robin Williams in 'Mrs. Doubtfire.' ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection Lawrence added that there's endless possibilities with using Williams' voice as AI, including for navigation on cellphones. 'It would be Robin!' Lawrence happily stated. 'It would be so cool. I'm telling you.' 9 Robin Williams in a promotional portrait for the Search for the Cause campaign in 2005. Getty Images Advertisement During the SAG-AFTRA strike in Oct. 2023, Williams' daughter, Zelda Williams, put out a statement slamming the use of AI to recreate the late comedian. 'I am not an impartial voice in SAG's fight against AI,' Zelda, 35, wrote on social media. 'I've witnessed for YEARS how many people want to train these models to create/recreate actors who cannot consent, like Dad.' 9 Zelda and Robin Williams at the 'Happy Feet Two' premiere in 2011. Getty Images 'I've already heard AI used to get his 'voice' to say whatever people want and while I find it personally disturbing, the ramifications go far beyond my own feelings,' Zelda continued. 'Living actors deserve a chance to create characters with their choices, to voice cartoons, to put their HUMAN effort and time into the pursuit of performance.' Lawrence was a preteen when he played Williams' son, Chris Hillard, in 1993's 'Mrs. Doubtfire.' At the first annual '90s Con in 2022, Lawrence recalled how Williams — who struggled with substance abuse before his death — warned him to 'stay away' from drugs while they were shooting the film together. 9 Matthew Lawrence, Lisa Jakub, Robin Williams, Mara Wilson, Sally Field in 'Mrs. Doubtfire.' 20th Century Fox Licensing/Merchandising / Everett Collection '[Williams] was very serious. He was like, 'You know when you come to my trailer and you see me like that?'' Lawrence shared. 'He's like, 'That's the reason why. And now I'm fighting for the rest of my life because I spent 10 years doing something very stupid every day. Do not do it.' I stayed away from it because of him.' Advertisement 9 Andrew Lawrence, Joey Lawrence, and Matthew Lawrence at Comic-Con 2025. Getty Images 9 Robin Williams speaks at the 24th Annual American Cinematheque Award. WireImage In April, Lawrence told EW that the 'Jumaji' star also gave him two important life lessons: the 'type of compassion you need to have for people' and how you 'don't judge until you walk in someone else's shoes.' 'He really quantified what it was to be a real artist for me in the sense that he was definitely,' Lawrence said, 'and I worked with some great people, and he was definitely the most brilliant artist I've ever worked with.'
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Matthew Lawrence wants to resurrect Robin Williams with AI
Matthew Lawrence, who played Chris Hillard alongside Robin Williams in the 1993 classic Mrs. Doubtfire, has stirred controversy with a surprising pitch: using artificial intelligence to resurrect the late actor's voice. Speaking at Comic-Con, Lawrence said he would love to bring Williams' voice back, with permission from the family, because he believes it's too iconic to remain silent. 'It would be so cool,' Lawrence said, adding that Williams' voice belongs in modern AI systems or interactive projects. 'He's gotta be the voice of AI. He's gotta be the voice in something.' Lawrence revealed the idea came to him after stumbling upon an old TV commercial featuring Williams doing a robotic-style voiceover, which felt eerily ahead of its time. Fans have responded with mixed feelings. Some say the suggestion dishonours Williams' legacy and reduces his memory to a tech gimmick. Others find it an intriguing tribute, noting Williams' timeless voice brought comfort and humour to millions. Comments under news posts have expressed unease, with users calling it 'weird,' 'too soon,' and 'morally slippery.' Lawrence emphasised he would only pursue the project with full approval from Williams' family. Still, the proposal has raised larger ethical questions about the posthumous use of AI, especially for celebrities who never gave consent. Lawrence also shared emotional memories of Williams on the Mrs. Doubtfire set, revealing that Williams warned him as a child actor to avoid drugs. 'Don't ever do drugs. Especially cocaine,' Williams told him. That advice, Lawrence said, changed his life. While the intentions may be nostalgic, the idea of digitally reviving Williams' voice has clearly touched a cultural nerve, suggesting that even the most beloved icons aren't safe from AI's reach. Whether this tribute ever materialises remains to be seen.
