
societyDec 18, 202432:45pending
Making Millions on Dead Celebrities in the AI Age
About this episode
Matt is joined by Mark Roesler, founder and chairman of CMG Worldwide, to discuss how AI has added a new twist to how the rights of dead famous people are being exploited. They discuss how incredibly valuable these rights are and how new technology is changing the way name, image, and likeness are being enabled to resurrect dead stars. They highlight a few recent examples, including James Earl Jones in the new ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ film, as well as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. in a commercial for a new brand of gin. Mark explains how these deceased celebrities are protected in the age of AI and who is making the decision to exploit these rights (02:33). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ and ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ (26:20).
For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.
Email us your thoughts! [email protected]
Host: Matt Belloni
Guest: Mark Roesler
Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
Theme Song: Devon Renaldo
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Town with Matthew Belloni publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Town with Matthew Belloni

‘Resident Evil’ and the Tightrope of Relaunching Old IP
The Town with Matthew Belloni
Sep 10, 202636:29completed

Four Big Stories: Emmys ’26, Summer Box Office Pushback, Fed Tax Credit Odds, an...
The Town with Matthew Belloni
Sep 8, 202636:53completed

The 2026 Summer Box Office Winners, Losers, and Head-Scratchers
The Town with Matthew Belloni
Sep 4, 202650:26pending

Did Donald Trump Just Save Filmmaking in America?
The Town with Matthew Belloni
Sep 2, 202635:45pending