Harry Potter-Inspired Spanish Film Uses AI for English Dub: Is This the End of Human Voice Acting?

AI Dub for The Witch Game Sparks Debate

A new Argentine horror film, The Witch Game, is gaining attention for an unusual reason — not for its Harry Potter-inspired storyline, but because its English dub was entirely created using artificial intelligence (AI).

Scheduled for release in North America and the UK in the first quarter of 2025, the film is catching attention not just for its story but also for its controversial use of AI to voice its characters.

This comes as the film’s original Spanish audio is replaced with AI-generated voices, stirring the ongoing debate about the role of AI in the creative industries.

A Dark, Magical Journey with a Modern Twist

Directed by Fabian Forte, The Witch Game follows the story of a rebellious 18-year-old girl, played by Lourdes Mansilla, who receives a virtual reality headset for her birthday.

This seemingly innocent gift transports her into a magical world where she must navigate an occult school to save her family from the devil.

The premise, blending horror with elements of fantasy reminiscent of Harry Potter, promises a fresh take on familiar themes.

Alongside Mansilla, the film stars Ezequiel Rodriguez, Virginia Lombardo, and Natalia Grinberg, with the story premiering last year at the Ventana Sur film market.

AI’s Growing Role in Film Dubbing

What has truly set The Witch Game apart, however, is its English-language dubbing process.

Unlike traditional dubbing, which employs human voice actors, this film's voices were generated using AI technology.

This approach, though not entirely new, has sparked frustration in the voice acting community.

Voice actors, who often face challenges in securing jobs, argue that AI recreating their voices without consent poses serious threats to their livelihoods.

The controversy surrounding this new method is more than just an industry concern—it highlights the broader issue of AI’s impact on the arts and media sectors.

The Dangers of AI in Creative Industries

The use of AI in various creative fields is a growing concern.

While some, like filmmaker James Cameron, view AI as a tool that can push creative boundaries, others are more wary.

The rise of AI-generated content raises questions about originality, with critics arguing that AI, though capable of imitating existing voices and styles, can never truly create something new.

As The Witch Game proves, AI is now even replacing voice actors, who see their work taken over by machines.

The opportunity for an emerging talent to voice a character in this film has now been taken away by a piece of technology, further limiting access to the industry for aspiring artists.

AI’s Impact Beyond Voice Acting

The controversy surrounding AI isn't confined to just voice acting.

Artists, writers, and even video game developers are also feeling the pressure.

In the case of artists, AI tools can replicate distinct art styles, threatening their ability to profit from their creativity.

Likewise, some writers have reported their scripts being used in AI training, often without permission.

The concern is that these AI-generated works may flood the market, drowning out authentic, human creativity.

Hollywood’s Divided Stance on AI

There is, however, a divided opinion in Hollywood regarding AI.

Some, like Ben Affleck, are cautiously optimistic about AI’s role in the film industry.

Speaking at CNBC’s Delivering Alpha 2024 summit, Affleck argued that AI will lower filmmaking costs and make it easier for more voices to be heard.

The 52-year-old Oscar winner also highlighted that while AI can handle repetitive, labour-intensive tasks, it cannot replace the human element in creative storytelling, stating:

“AI can write you excellent, imitative verse that sounds Elizabethan. It cannot write you Shakespeare.”

His views contrast sharply with others like American actor Robert Downey Jr., who has pledged to take legal action against any company that uses AI to replicate his likeness without permission.

The reality is that the AI debate is complex.

On one hand, it presents opportunities to cut costs and democratise access to filmmaking, but on the other, it threatens to erode jobs and diminish the authenticity of creative work.

As The Witch Game and other AI-dubbed films gain attention, the industry will likely face more tough conversations about how far AI should go in replacing human labour, and whether it is ultimately a force for progress or a threat to artistry.