As any self-respecting movie buff (or man over 40) will tell you, a famous actor’s big break came in 1974’s ‘The Godfather Part II.’ The actor played a younger version of a mafia boss whose original portrayal by another actor is iconic. Many years later, the actor starred as another outsider-turned gangster in a 2019 film. The movie follows the character’s progress for more than five decades. Using de-aging technology, the actor played the character throughout their life. The movie received positive reviews and garnered multiple nominations. It sparked a debate about de-aging in films. Another upcoming film features two well-known actors playing characters from their teens to their 80s. The film’s director has compared its visual style to that of silent movies. There are different techniques to make actors appear younger on screen using technology. Each technique has its advantages and disadvantages. Some directors and filmmakers are not fully convinced by the outcome of de-aging technology. One problem is that unless a fully CGI face is used, the older actor’s physicality still limits the performance. Films that rely on de-aging often evoke nostalgia and capitalize on the actors’ past successes. Some argue that instead of investing time and money in de-aging, efforts could be directed towards promoting fresh talent.
