Robert Downey Jr. doesn’t believe Marvel executives would ever recreate his portrayal of Tony Stark using artificial intelligence. But if they did, he would stand as a lawyer, even posthumously.

On a recent episode of the On With Kara Swisher podcast, the Oscar-winning actor said he intends to “sue every future executive” who allows an AI-created version of him. Speaking about his role as Iron Man, Downey said he doesn’t want his image to be recreated by artificial intelligence technology.

“I’m not worried about them taking my character’s soul because there are like three or four guys and girls who make all the decisions anyway, and they would never do that to me, with or without me,” Downey said.

Swisher noted that those executives would eventually be replaced. “Well, you’re right,” Downey said. “I would like to state here that I intend to sue all future executives just for specifications.”

“You’ll be dead,” Swisher said. Downey responded: “But my law firm will still be very active.” Representatives for Marvel Studios and Downey did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The discussion comes amid the Hollywood video game artists’ strike, which began in July after more than 18 months of negotiations on a new interactive media deal with game industry giants collapsed over copyright protections. artificial intelligence.

Leaders of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have called the issues behind the labor dispute (and AI in particular) an existential crisis for artists. Concerns about how movie studios will use AI helped fuel last year’s film and television strikes by the union, which lasted four months. SAG-AFTRA finally signed an agreement requiring productions to obtain informed consent from the actors whose digital replicas are used.

A SAG-AFTRA spokesperson said Downey has the right to deny any use of digital replica in a film due to California’s new law prohibiting unauthorized replication of a dead performer’s likeness without prior consent. That law, signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in September, was sponsored by the union.

Downey made his Broadway debut this month in McNeal, a one-act play by Ayad Akhtar that delves into themes of artificial intelligence, artistic integrity, plagiarism and copyright infringement. The 59-year-old actor plays the title character, Jacob McNeal, an acclaimed novelist whose battles with alcoholism and mental illness culminate in a pivotal moment in his career.

“I don’t envy anyone who has been overly identified with the advent of this new phase of the information age,” Downey said. “The idea that they somehow own it because they have these huge startups is a fallacy.”

The podcast episode explored the questions the play raises about truth and power in the age of AI, and whether there is a “social contract” related to the use of AI.

Downey’s next role as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday will bring him back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2026.