Celebrities in video games... whether they like it or not!

[ManekiNeko]

A friend pointed out this link to me.

http://www.gamers.com/news/1443673/

Apparently, the new Resident Evil game will have characters that strongly, STRONGLY resemble famous celebrities like Tom Cruise and Julia Roberts. My question is this... how far will game companies be able to go before being forced to pay the stars a royalty for their unwitting appearance in these games? Just from looking at these pictures I can't help but think there will be lawsuits shortly after the game is released.

JR

[deadtech]

Here are two more games I know of that blatantly use celebrity likenesses, almost definately without thier permission:

Fighting Run (PC Engine Hucard, Japan only)
http://www.vgmuseum.com/images/tg16/02/fightrun.html

Metal Fangs (MegaDrive cart, Japan only)
http://www.vgmuseum.com/pics/metalfangs.html

For either one, check out the pilot/opponent select screen for the evidence. (Try them on an emulator if you do not own the games, I only own Fighting Run.)

-deadtech

[maxlords]

I actually know one of the body models for the new RE...I'll have to get a pic of him from his mom and then you can see how close it is. Capcom approached him in Japan and asked him if he'd do it, so I know it's modeled after him, and I think he's the cop....not 100% sure though! I'll find out more!

[Queen Of The Felines]

I always thought Quistis from Final Fantasy VIII looked a LOT like Jennifer Aniston.

http://www.gee-min-ee.com/quistis.jpg

Kristine

[Atar1G1rl]

Hmm, I think the new RE George character looks more like Kyle MacLachlan than Hugh Grant, at least in the shot presented on the Gamers.com article.

[Achika]

I always thought Quistis from Final Fantasy VIII looked a LOT like Jennifer Aniston.

Kristine

Finally, someone else thinks so too. I'm not totally crazy after all.


Tom Cruise had the most look alike character, the others pushed it a little though.

[IGotTheDot]

There was recently a lawsuit going on between Midway and MGM. MGM thought a character in Ready to Rumble looked too much like Rocky.

http://taipeitimes.com/chnews/2001/11/07/brief/0000011665

I believe this has been settled privately.

[rbudrick]

The princess in Rygar for PS2 is the spitting image of Brittney Spears.

-Rob

[hezeuschrist]

None of those models look like those celebrities. What a bunch of crap.

Wow, people that look like other people, NO WAY!