Behind the Scenes Revelations: Exclusive Insider Scoop on Final Destination 5 Cameo Amid Actors' Strike

Devon Sawa, one of the original stars of Final Destination, has shed light on his cameo appearance in Final Destination 5, revealing that he was not paid for it. In the year 2000, Sawa played the lead character, Alex Browning, in the first film, where a group of teenagers cheated death only to have it come after them through terrifying accidents. Although his character died offscreen in the following sequels, Sawa made a surprise cameo in Final Destination 5 through previously filmed footage.

According to a now-deleted Tweet mentioned by ComicBook.com, Sawa candidly discussed his cameo in Final Destination 5. He revealed that he was never informed about his appearance in the final installment and was not compensated for the use of his footage. However, he acknowledged that the studio technically had the right to utilize the material from the previous film. You can read his statement below.

Why Devon Sawa's Experience Is Relevant To SAG-AFTRA Strike

I have never received any payment for my participation in Final Destination 5. Surprisingly, when I was invited to the movie premiere, they didn't even inform me about my appearance in it. The initial contract for the first installment included a section stating that they possessed the footage and could utilize it in the future, which I assumed was primarily for press purposes. However, I was mistaken in my assumption. Please note that my dissatisfaction has nothing to do with the filmmakers themselves, as I genuinely enjoyed FD5 and hold a deep affection for all the movies in the series. Consequently, I am eagerly looking forward to watching the upcoming sixth installment.

Sawa's story coincides with the SAG-AFTRA strike, which officially commenced on July 14. It sheds light on the issue of likeness rights and residuals, a significant concern that fueled the strike. Hollywood studios' employment of artificial intelligence to mimic actors' appearances is the core problem addressed. While Sawa's involvement in Final Destination 5 entailed utilizing archival footage, there are various techniques employed by studios to incorporate actors into films without their physical presence. These include CGI and deepfake technologies, enabling the recreation of deceased actors' likenesses.

The inclusion of Sawa in the movie without his knowledge or compensation has raised concerns about compensation and consent. SAWA mentioned that he was not notified or compensated for his appearance, which is a major concern for SAG-AFTRA members regarding the issue of digital likeness. In response to these concerns, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) proposed that studios should have the ability to scan an actor and obtain their likeness in exchange for a day's pay. This would allow the studios to recreate and use the actor's likeness in future projects without compensation or permission.

This proposal drew comparisons to the "Joan is Awful" episode of Black Mirror. Many people noted that, under the AMPTP's proposal, actors could unintentionally relinquish their likeness rights, potentially finding themselves featured in a movie without their knowledge. While Sawa's situation in Final Destination was not as severe, it bears similarity in that the studio used a vaguely worded contract clause to utilize him in a movie without his awareness. With Final Destination 6 currently in development, it is hoped that any further archival cameos will be handled more appropriately.

Source: ComicBook.com