Irishman De-Aging Deepfake Is Better Than The Original Movie
A new deepfake that has been released manages to improve on the de-aging effects utilized in Martin Scorsese's The Irishman. The Irishman, which was released on Netflix in the fall of 2019, was met with glowing reviews from critics, managing an impressive critical rating of 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. In fact, the film is considered by some to be one of the best gangster films of the past 15 years. Not only was the film met with a warm reception from critics and audiences alike, but it managed to also be nominated for several Academy Awards.
The Irishman, which is based on the memoir I Hear You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt, follows the story of a truck driver named Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), who gets involved with Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci) and his crime family in Pennsylvania. Sheeran works his way to the top and eventually begins working for Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino), a powerful teamster who is tied to organized crime. The film's all-star cast also included the likes of Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Stephen Graham, Anna Paquin, Jesse Plemons, and Jack Huston. One of the most highly discussed facets of the lauded drama was its use of de-aging effects on De Niro, Pesci, and Pacino. Now, a new deepfake has been released that takes those effects one step further.
In a new deepfake from YouTube user Shamook, the de-aging effects in The Irishman are improved upon and given more detail. The video shows several scenes that involve De Niro's Sheeran interacting with other characters, using side-by-side visuals to show the considerable difference between Netflix's original film and the deepfake. The full video is below.
Deepfakes have become a rising trend in recent years, and it only seems to be penetrating the zeitgeist more and more. There has been a myriad of different deepfakes over the past several years, such as the face of a young Harrison Ford on that of Han Solo in the recent Solo film and Chris Pratt's face placed on Ford's in Indiana Jones. While The Irishman's effects have been the subject of much contention since the film's release, there are those that consider the film's de-aging effects to be better than Marvel's in recent efforts like Captain Marvel.
Scorsese's film managed to be one of the acclaimed director's finest efforts, tackling another mob story in an entirely more mature way, showcasing his softer side while still delivering the captivating storytelling and visceral violence fans have come to expect. Though Netflix's film showcases some impressive effects, this deepfake adds much more detail and nuance to De Niro's performance, giving his eyes and face much more life and elasticity. However, Netflix didn't simply desire to have a young De Niro in the film and did the bulk of the effects work for this artist to work off of. While there may be other fans of the movie who may prefer these effects to the original film's, there's still no denying The Irishman still remains a must-see Scorsese film for any passionate fan.
Source: Shamook via YouTube