In this file photo taken on June 23, 1996, Warner Brothers studio and US Postal Service officials watch as the James Dean stamp is unveiled on the Warner Brother's Midwestern Street studio lot 24 June in Burbank, California. More than 60 years after his death, movie legend James Dean is set to return to the screen thanks to special effects that recreate his image from old footage and photographs. Dean, who died aged 24 in a car crash in 1955, has been "posthumously cast" in Vietnam War action-drama "Finding Jack," the Hollywood Reporter said on November 6, 2019. Production house Magic City Films obtained the rights to use Dean's image from his family for the screen adaption of Gareth Crocker’s 2008 novel. (PHOTO / AFP)

NEW YORK – James Dean hasn't been alive in 64 years, but the Rebel Without a Cause actor has been cast in a new film about the Vietnam War. The filmmakers behind the independent film Finding Jack said Wednesday that a computer-generated Dean will play a co-starring role in the upcoming production. The digital Dean is to be assembled through old footage and photos and voiced by another actor.

Digitally manipulated posthumous performances have made some inroads into films. But those have been largely roles the actors already played, including Carrie Fisher and Peter Cushing, who first appeared together in Star Wars and were prominently featured in the 2016 spinoff Rogue One.

But the prospect of one of the movies' most beloved former stars being digitally resurrected was met with widespread criticism after the news was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Chris Evans, the Captain America actor, was among those who called the plans disrespectful and wrongheaded.

"Maybe we can get a computer to paint us a new Picasso. Or write a couple new John Lennon tunes," said Evans on Twitter. "The complete lack of understanding here is shameful."

Rights to Dean's likeness were acquired by the filmmakers and the production company Magic City Films through CMG Worldwide. The company represents Dean's family along with the intellectual property rights associated with many other deceased personalities including Neil Armstrong, Bette Davis and Burt Reynolds.

This May 27, 2005 file photo shows plants and flowers at the grave of actor James Dean in Fairmount, Ind. Dean hasn’t been alive in 64 years, but the Rebel Without a Cause actor has been cast in a new film about the Vietnam War. The filmmakers behind the independent film Finding Jack said Wednesday that a computer-generated Dean will play a co-starring role in the upcoming production. The digital Dean is to be assembled through old footage and photos and voiced by another actor. (PHOTO / AP)

Rebel Dean still resonates today

Mark Roesler, chairman and chief executive of CMG, defended the usage of Dean and said the company has represented his family for decades. Noting that Dean has more than 183,000 followers on Instagram, Roesler said he still resonates today.

James Dean famously said that if a man can bridge the gap between life and death, if he can live after he has died, then maybe he was a great man

"James Dean was known as Hollywood's 'rebel' and he famously said 'if a man can bridge the gap between life and death, if he can live after he has died, then maybe he was a great man. Immortality is the only true success,'" said Roesler. "What was considered rebellious in the '50s is very different than what is rebellious today, and we feel confident that he would support this modern day act of rebellion."

Adapted from Gareth Crocker's novel, Finding Jack is a live-action movie about the US military's abandonment of canine units following the Vietnam War. Directors Anton Ernst and Tati Golykh are to begin shooting Nov 17. In an email, Ernst said they "tremendously" respect Dean's legacy.

"The movie subject matter is one of hope and love, and he is still relevant like the theme of the film we are portraying," said Ernst. "There is still a lot of James Dean fans worldwide who would love to see their favorite icon back on screen. There would always be critics, and all we can do is tell a great story with humanity and grace."

Dean had just three leading roles before he died in a car crash in 1955 at the age of 24: Rebel Without a Cause, East of Eden and Giant.

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