Michael Caine Says Licensing His Voice to Matthew McConaughey-Backed AI Audio Company Is ‘Using Innovation Not to Replace Humanity, But to Celebrate It’
In a groundbreaking move for the entertainment industry, Hollywood icons Matthew McConaughey and Sir Michael Caine have partnered with ElevenLabs, an AI audio company, to lend their voices to a new initiative that aims to revolutionize the way celebrity voices are utilized in various media. This collaboration coincides with the launch of the Iconic Voices Marketplace, a platform where brands can license the voices of both living and deceased celebrities for commercial use. The marketplace includes a diverse array of voices, featuring not only contemporary stars like McConaughey and Caine but also legendary figures such as Judy Garland and historical personalities like J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Sir Michael Caine, known for his roles in classics like “The Dark Knight” and “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “For years, I’ve lent my voice to stories that moved people – tales of courage, of wit, of the human spirit. Now, I’m helping others find theirs.” Caine emphasized that the technology developed by ElevenLabs is not about replacing human voices but rather about amplifying them, allowing new storytellers to emerge. This sentiment reflects a growing trend in the industry, where AI technology is being harnessed to enhance creative expression rather than diminish it. Meanwhile, McConaughey highlighted the potential of this technology to broaden his audience, sharing an example of how his voice was utilized in a Spanish-language version of his newsletter, “Lyrics of Livin’.”
While the use of AI-generated voices is gaining traction, it has not been without controversy. Earlier this year, Epic Games introduced a generative AI version of Darth Vader in “Fortnite,” voiced by a licensed reproduction of James Earl Jones, sparking discussions about the implications of such technology. Conversely, renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough voiced his concerns about the ethical ramifications of AI voice reproduction, expressing that he was “profoundly disturbed” by the idea of AI being used to create statements in his voice without his consent. This ongoing debate raises important questions about ownership, authenticity, and the future of storytelling in an era increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence. As the industry navigates these complexities, the partnership between McConaughey, Caine, and ElevenLabs marks a significant step toward integrating AI in a way that celebrates the artistry of voice acting while also exploring new creative possibilities.
Hollywood stars Matthew McConaughey and Sir Michael Caine have licensed their voices to ElevenLabs, an AI audio company which hosts a library of celebrities — both living and dead.
The announcement comes alongside the launch of ElevenLabs’ Iconic Voices Marketplace, a storefront for celebrity voices that brands can pay to reproduce. This includes deceased actors such as Judy Garland, and historical figures such as J Robert Oppenheimer.
Dark Knight and The Muppet Chrismas Carol legend Caine is also now one of the celebrities that brands can pay to use. “For years, I’ve lent my voice to stories that moved people – tales of courage, of wit, of the human spirit,” Caine said in a
statement
. “Now, I’m helping others find theirs.
“With ElevenLabs, we can preserve and share voices — not just mine, but anyone’s,” Caine continued. “ElevenLabs is at the very forefront of technology, using innovation not to replace humanity, but to celebrate it… It’s not about replacing voices; it’s about amplifying them, opening doors for new storytellers everywhere.”
In September, the 92-year-old actor surprised fans by
announcing he would come out of retirement to make a sequel to a Vin Diesel movie from a decade ago
. The Last Witch Hunter 2 is reportedly being “fast-tracked through development,” with Caine and Diesel both expected to reprise their former roles.
McConaughey, meanwhile,
said
he had invested an undisclosed sum in ElevenLabs after being “impressed” by the company. As an example of how his voice will be used, the actor linked to a Spanish-language version of his newsletter — Lyrics of Livin’ — created using the AI reproduction of his voice, and said it would allow him to “reach and connect with even more people.”
Earlier this year,
Fortnite developer Epic Games raised eyebrows by allowing players to chat with a generative AI version of Darth Vader within the game
, voiced by a licensed reproduction of the late James Earl Jones. But while the use of AI voices is becoming more widespread, not everyone is a fan. Last year,
Sir David Attenborough issued a strongly-worded statement saying he was “profoundly disturbed”
that AI was being used to have him say pretty much anything.
Image credit: Lia Toby/Getty Images.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky
@tomphillipseg.bsky.social
