James Dean died in a car accident in 1955. Sixty-three years later, James Dean will star in a Vietnam War film “Finding Jack.” Dean will play a veteran of a war he never knew or lived to see.

Dean’s resurrection is all thanks to the tectonic technological shifts in de-aging CGI. The move of posthumously rejuvenating an actor was in the works throughout the 2010s. The first notable instance was Peter Cushing in “Star Wars: Rogue One” in which a long dead actor’s face was grafted onto a living actor’s face. His voice was later dubbed in.

The technology advanced due to various studios’ willingness to invest in it. Disney and Marvel Studios put their money towards de-aging Robert Downey Jr. in “Captain America: Civil War” and Samuel L. Jackson in “Captain Marvel” respectively.

Netflix, though, made the largest investment in Scorsese’s forthcoming “The Irishman.” Robert De Niro, an acclaimed actor in his late seventies, is de-aged to resemble his appearance as a 20-year-old and on. A fountain of youth of sorts has been discovered.

I find this technological advancement as the endgame Hollywood has been working towards since its beginning. Hollywood has always strived to be youthful, beautiful and familiar. The only thing hindering this utopic vision is age and death. Through this technology, Hollywood’s starlet can never grow old and, ultimately, never die.

Hollywood shows these values through what roles are offered to their aging actors and actresses.
In various ways, actors and actresses are trapped as they age. Older actors and actresses are often tasked with being the dementia-riddled grandparent who inspires their extended family through their death. This also hints at Hollywood’s feelings about the elderly in that they’re only useful through their death.

Another issue is how Hollywood treats aging actresses. Most of the time they are disregarded or fulfill the role of the matriarch. Actresses become particularly trapped once they become mothers. They are often pegged to play roles that mirror their personal life.

With this technology, actors and actresses can be the same age as when they were the most marketable and popular. On screen, nobody has to age, be affected by natural occurrences, like pregnancy, or general weight increase. Everyone can now be the most perfect appearance of themselves.

I also see a future of aspiring actors auditioning to play dead actors in parts rather than auditioning to play the part with their own appearance. Familiarity and branding is the focus of the film industry currently.

I can see a future where not only is the Marvel or DC brand a draw but so is the resurrected actors and actresses playing the heroes. Would people pay money to see Marilyn Monroe play Catwoman? Unfortunately, audiences will decide.

Hollywood is an industry obsessed with beauty, familiarity and youth. The whole industry is a vehicle constantly on the search for what’s fresh and new. CGI is the fountain of youth Hollywood’s been waiting for.

James Dean’s part in all of this is fitting. Long after his untimely death, Dean has been the pinnacle image of Hollywood youth. Now that he has escaped death, James Dean can be the living symbol of what Hollywood aspires to.

True Dabill can be reached at dabi7280@stthomas.edu.