New Tom Hanks film Here and the unsettling 'de-aging' technology keeping stars forever young

Tom Hanks's new film 'Here' features him and Robin Wright looking like teenagers again, thanks to advanced de-aging technology. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and adapted from Richard McGuire's graphic novel, the movie spans thousands of years, focusing on the history of a single piece of land. Most of the story revolves around the decades when the land is part of an American house owned by a couple played by Hanks and Wright. Fans of 'Forrest Gump' will be thrilled to see Hanks and Wright reunite with their director. The trailer for 'Here' shows Hanks looking young and fresh-faced, reminiscent of his early career. This digital de-aging could soon become as common as using makeup to make actors appear younger. Zemeckis has always been intrigued by how people and places change over time, as seen in 'Forrest Gump' and the 'Back to the Future' trilogy. He has also been a pioneer in digital innovation, using real actors and motion capture technology in films like 'The Polar Express' and 'A Christmas Carol'. Hanks seems comfortable with the idea of playing youthful characters indefinitely. He mentioned that with AI and deep-fake technology, anyone can recreate themselves at any age. He joked that even if he were to be hit by a bus, his performances could continue forever. This concept is unsettling because it suggests that real actors might be replaced by their digital counterparts, and older actors could keep playing roles meant for younger talent. The technology to de-age actors has evolved significantly over the past two decades. In 2006, visual-effects artists de-aged Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen in 'X-Men: The Last Stand', but the results were not very convincing. Since then, the technology has been used in films like 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' and 'Tron: Legacy'. In 2019, it became a key component in several major films. Samuel L. Jackson was de-aged in 'Captain Marvel', and Will Smith battled a younger version of himself in 'Gemini Man'. Martin Scorsese used the technology to de-age Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci in 'The Irishman'. The most notable use of de-aging technology was in the latest Indiana Jones film, where Harrison Ford was made to look young again. While some critics appreciated the high-tech reminder of Ford's youthful appearance, others found it distracting. They argued that it was strange to see a young face on an older body. In 'The Irishman', it was almost comical to hear Joe Pesci refer to the 70-something De Niro as 'the kid'. Some believe that traditional methods of making actors look younger are more effective. For instance, River Phoenix played a young Indiana Jones in 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade', and it looked more natural. Digital retouching may not be superior to traditional techniques, but it is becoming more prevalent. Currently, de-aging technology is primarily used as a gimmick to make characters appear younger and evoke nostalgia. The emotional impact of seeing a young Hanks in 'Here' relies on our memories of his early films. Similarly, the de-aged Indiana Jones in the latest movie brings back the excitement of his classic adventures. The technology is also used in the Star Wars TV series to recreate young versions of beloved characters. The Abba Voyage concert in London features virtual 'Abbatars' that resemble the band members as they looked in 1979. So far, de-aging technology has not been used to extend actors' careers or create new narratives. Instead, it serves to trigger nostalgia. 'Here' will be released in US cinemas on November 15.