Elon Musk and his company, Tesla, are facing legal challenges following a lawsuit filed by Hollywood’s Alcon Entertainment.
The lawsuit concerns the unauthorized use of images reminiscent of scenes from the 2017 film ‘Blade Runner 2049’ during Tesla’s ‘We, Robot’ event.
The event, held on October 10, 2024, was set to unveil Tesla’s much-anticipated Cybercab, a fully autonomous vehicle that breaks away from traditional design with its absence of steering wheels and pedals.
However, the focus quickly shifted to the visuals used during the presentation—imagery that allegedly mirrors scenes from ‘Blade Runner 2049’, featuring an AI-generated landscape similar to that seen by Ryan Gosling’s character in the film.
Alcon Entertainment, the company behind the iconic sci-fi film, claims that Tesla sought permission to use such imagery just as the event was about to start, a request that was outright denied.
In their lawsuit, Alcon accuses Tesla of a ‘malicious gambit’, suggesting the company intended to bolster the Cybercab reveal by leveraging the association with the Blade Runner brand to appeal to a global audience.
In an unusual move, Warner Brothers Discovery is also named as a defendant in the case.
The event took place on its studio lot, adding another layer to the controversy.
Musk has been notably inspired by science fiction works, often expressing his admiration for ‘Blade Runner’.
He has cited such films during discussions on the design elements of Tesla projects, including the contentious Cybertruck, which was conceived under a ‘cyberpunk’ aesthetic said to be influenced by the movie.
Alcon’s lawsuit highlights concerns about brand association, especially given Musk’s perceived controversial political stances.
The production company emphasized its intent to keep ‘Blade Runner 2049’ detached from the influence of Musk’s companies, fearing the impact on their own negotiations for upcoming projects like ‘Blade Runner 2099’.
The legal dispute has broader implications, with Alcon warning that this unwanted affiliation could irreparably entangle Tesla and ‘Blade Runner’ in the public’s perception.
Alcon is adamant that this unauthorized use could harm their brand in the long term.
This is not Tesla’s first brush with Hollywood-related controversies.
Earlier this month, Alex Proyas, the director of ‘I, Robot’, called out similarities between Tesla’s designs and those in his 2004 film.
Proyas’ reaction further underlines the growing tension between the realms of science fiction cinema and Musk’s futuristic automotive vision.
As the situation unfolds, Tesla and Musk have yet to formally respond to the allegations, leaving many to speculate on the potential fallout of this high-profile case.