When it comes to classic Hollywood actors, Michael Caine is among some of the most celebrated. Having acted since the 1950s, the actor has enjoyed a fruitful career. While having had a long filmography prior to his involvement in the franchise, Caine burst into the pop culture scene in a big way when he co-starred in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins as Alfred Pennyworth. Caine then returned as Batman's partner and confidant in The Dark Knight, before reprising the role one last time in 2012's The Dark Knight Rises.
With his powerful acting style, undeniable charisma and distinctive voice, Caine has built a legacy in Hollywood that is matched only by a select few. Now, the actor has announced (via Deadline) he has partnered with AI company ElevenLabs—founded by Piotr Dąbkowski and Mari Staniszewski—to clone his voice for future projects. Caine's voice will be part of ElevenLabs' "Iconic Voice Marketplace," which will house the voices of multiple actors and celebrities, both alive and deceased, for commercial use.
In a statement, Caine explained his reasoning regarding the deal, stating he wished to help people craft their own stories. He further said the company was not aiming to replace voices, but instead to amplify them.
"For years, I've lent my voice to stories that moved people—tales of courage, of wit, of the human spirit. Now, I'm helping others find theirs. With ElevenLabs, we can preserve and share voices—not just mine, but anyone's. ElevenLabs is at the very forefront of technology, using innovation not to replace humanity, but to celebrate it. ElevenLabs gives everyone the tools to be heard. It's not about replacing voices; it's about amplifying them, opening doors for new storytellers everywhere. I've spent a lifetime telling stories. ElevenLabs will help the next generation tell theirs."
As explained by Deadline, to use any of the voices available in the Voice Marketplace, users will have to submit a request, after which ElevenLabs will match them with the rights holders of the actor(s) they wish to employ. A deal is then made between the user and the rights holder (out of the platform). Once an agreement's in place, the company delivers the voice requested. Per the trade, Caine's voice will, "also be available on the ElevenReader app to narrate books, articles, and PDFs."
As mentioned, other high-profiles actors have also partnered with ElevenLabs—which is based in New York City—including Liza Minnelli and Matthew McConaughey. Per Variety, the latter is an investor in the company, and has been partnered with it since 2022. The actor is using ElevenLabs' technology to create a Spanish dubbing (in his voice) of his newsletter, "Lyrics of Living'." Regarding this endeavor, McConaughey said:
"Since our first conversation, I've been impressed by how the ElevenLabs team has taken the magic of the core technology and turned it into products that creators, enterprises and storytellers use daily. I launched my newsletter, 'Lyrics of Livin',' as a way to share stories and ideas in my own voice with those who want to listen. Now, thanks to ElevenLabs, 'Lyrics of Livin’' is expanding with a Spanish language edition, allowing us to reach and connect with even more people. To everyone building with voice technology: keep going. You're helping create a future where we can look up from our screens and connect through something as timeless as humanity itself—our voices."
Below is a list of other notable names that are part of ElevenLabs' Iconic Voice Marketplace:
- Rock Hudson
- Judy Garland
- Art Garfunkel
- John Wayne
- Mark Twain
- Alan Turing
- Bettie Page
- J. Robert Oppenheimer
- Burt Reynolds
Using the likeness and voices of deceased actors has long been a point of contention in the entertainment industry. However, with Michael Caine, Matthew McConaughey and Liza Minnelli partnering with ElevenLabs, the conversation regarding AI to recreate performances will likely become more complex.