Directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, ‘Here’ utilises de-aging technology to portray characters across different ages. The film’s approach adds to the ongoing discussion in Hollywood about the effectiveness and limitations of digitally altering actors’ appearances.
“Here,” an upcoming film set to release on November 15, features Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, aged 67 and 58 respectively, portraying characters spanning from their teens to their 80s. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film employs de-aging technology to digitally alter the actors’ appearances over several decades.
The use of de-aging technology has been a point of discussion in Hollywood. In Martin Scorsese’s 2019 film “The Irishman,” Robert De Niro played Frank Sheeran throughout the character’s life without a younger actor, using FLUX light-based software to smooth out facial wrinkles. Similarly, in “Here,” digital modifications help Hanks and Wright appear younger.
Other films have also employed de-aging techniques, such as 2019’s “Gemini Man,” which used a fully CGI younger version of Will Smith, and the 2023 film “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” which featured a de-aged Harrison Ford. While these technologies have shown significant advancements, they often encounter limitations when dealing with the physicality of older actors.
Despite its utility, de-aging technology has faced mixed reviews. Quentin Tarantino noted the de-aging’s impact varied based on the viewing medium, while George Miller opted against using the technology for the “Mad Max” prequel after observing its effectiveness in other films.
“HERE” is anticipated to reignite debates on de-aging in cinema, blending nostalgia with advanced visual effects to narrate characters’ extended lifespans.