Darth Vader arrives in Fortnite’s Galactic Battle season with AI-recreated voice of James Earl Jones, letting players talk to him in real-time for the first time ever.
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| Fortnite Darth Vader: Epic Games Using AI to Bring James Earl Jones’ Voice to Fortnite |
Summary
- Darth Vader is now recruitable in Fortnite’s new Galactic Battle season.
- Players can interact with Vader, who uses an AI-generated voice based on James Earl Jones.
- This move marks a major use of generative AI in mainstream gaming experiences.
Darth Vader Joins Fortnite’s Galactic Battle
As part of Fortnite’s Chapter 6 Star Wars season: Galactic Battle, players can now locate and recruit Darth Vader on the map. But beyond just joining your squad, this iconic character now speaks using a digitally recreated voice — powered by generative AI trained on James Earl Jones’ legendary performances.
The Sith Lord appears randomly in one of three map locations, arriving aboard his iconic Imperial Shuttle. After defeating Vader in combat, players can accept an invitation through a portal to Mustafar and recruit him as an ally. Once he’s on your team, you’ll receive a Sith Apprentice lightsaber and unlock new dialogue options — complete with Jones’ unmistakable voice.
How James Earl Jones’ Voice Lives On
James Earl Jones passed away last year, but his iconic voice as Darth Vader continues to echo through the Star Wars galaxy. In a collaboration between Epic Games, Disney, and Lucasfilm, Fortnite now features a real-time AI-powered conversation system that uses ElevenLabs’ Flash v2.5 for audio and Google’s Gemini 2.0 for generating dialogue.
Disney confirmed the project was developed with consent from Jones’ family, honoring his wish that Vader’s voice live on for future generations. “We hope that this collaboration with Fortnite will allow both longtime fans of Darth Vader and newer generations to share in the enjoyment of this iconic character,” said the Jones family in a joint statement.
Darth Vader's AI Character in Fortnite can react to Transformations and even talk about Dragon Ball 😭 pic.twitter.com/xKvcvWzNCu
— hugo (@naboachavalo) May 16, 2025
An Immersive AI-Driven Interaction
When you speak to Darth Vader in Fortnite, the system sends your voice to Gemini, which instantly crafts a Vader-style response. These responses are then voiced using ElevenLabs’ model, simulating James Earl Jones’ tone and delivery. According to Epic, voice data is not stored or used for training — aligning with their focus on consent, transparency, and safety.
This interaction adds a surreal twist to the gameplay. Players have reported that others nearby can hear Vader’s responses, adding a layer of strategy — or surprise — when hiding with the Sith Lord in a bush.
AI Voice Use Raises Industry Questions
Disney and Epic’s implementation of AI-generated voice in Fortnite highlights a growing shift in how entertainment companies approach legacy characters. Rather than replacing iconic voices, studios now seek to preserve them digitally, provided they do so responsibly with family and estate approval.
Epic Games president Adam Sussman called this “the most expansive Star Wars collaboration Epic and Disney have ever done,” noting it sets a new standard for interactive character experiences in live games.
Conclusion
Darth Vader’s return to Fortnite is more than a skin drop — it’s a historic step for AI in games. Through advanced voice modeling and a respectful partnership with James Earl Jones’ estate, Epic and Disney are bringing cinematic legacy into the gaming future. Players now don’t just fight beside Vader — they can hear him speak, in real time, just like in the films. The force is strong with this one — digitally and emotionally.