Envision a scenario where you can make Darth Vader, the most articulate villain in Star Wars, utter any phrase you desire. Fortnite players have been exploiting this feature since its introduction, and it has been a thrilling experience for them. However, a controversy has now emerged surrounding this new version of the iconic character, and it is not related to his use of profanity, as seen in previous instances. Instead, the issue revolves around the protocols established by SAG-AFTRA for the utilization of AI-generated voices.

Last week, a post on Fortnite’s official website announced that players can now engage in conversations with Darth Vader, who will respond using conversational AI, all thanks to the explicit permission of the late James Earl Jones’ estate. Epic Games was careful to acknowledge this in their statement.

According to a statement from Jones’ family, “James Earl believed that the voice of Darth Vader was deeply intertwined with the narrative of Star Wars and wished for fans of all ages to continue experiencing it.” They added, “We hope this collaboration with Fortnite will enable both long-time fans of Darth Vader and new generations to appreciate this iconic character.”

Interaction with Darth Vader, now a boss in Battle Royale, replacing the Samurai Vader that was part of the game’s ongoing Star Wars event, is indeed an exciting opportunity for fans of Jones and Star Wars. However, the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA, which has been emphasizing the use of AI as one of its primary concerns during the 2023 industry strikes, is now stating that Fortnite did not follow the proper procedures before integrating Darth Vader’s AI voice into the game.

SAG-AFTRA has filed an unfair labor practice charge, available on their official website, accusing “Fortnite‘s signatory company, Llama Productions” of replacing human performers with AI technology without providing notice and bypassing negotiations for suitable terms.

The union clarifies that it is not opposed to the concept itself: “We support the right of our members and their estates to control the use of their digital replicas and welcome the use of new technologies to allow new generations to appreciate those legacies and renowned roles.”

The issue lies in the fact that the AI used here renders human voice actors obsolete. As a result, “we must protect our right to negotiate terms and conditions surrounding the use of voice that replaces the work of our members, including those who previously worked on matching Darth Vader’s iconic rhythm and tone in video games.”

As of now, Epic Games has not responded to the filing. The Hollywood Reporter notes that despite SAG-AFTRA’s ongoing Interactive Media Agreement strike, which has been stalled for months on negotiating “AI protections for voice actors in video games,” actors can still work on Fortnite without violating the strike, as the game falls under an exception for titles that were in production before August 2023.

For more io9 news, check out the expected release dates for upcoming Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.