Also, the Biff concept art appears to use Wilson's likeness. It seems weird that they would have had enough contact with Tom to get the rights to his likeness but yet he insists he never was contacted...
i'm complete idiot when it comes to law, and i tried to read this article about personality rights but still don't get it - do you actually need to contact actor in order to get rights to likeness or is it enough to get rights from the film rights holder? If you don't need approval from an actual actor then that would explain it why Wilson says he wasn't contacted at all
Kid Beyond's voice work has always been stellar in other Telltale titles. I have no reason to doubt that I'll enjoy his Biff performance in the context of the conversations and story, even if a few isolated lines sound jarring at first.
To the people that mention the likeliness.
Take into consideration that the art looks like Tom Wilson with all the make-up.
I don't think they resemble young Biff that much.
Only a bit disappointed with the clips, but they might have been early on and Kid Beyond might be trying out different voices for each era.
In the end, I suppose it's no worse then getting adjusted to TTG's more Dan Ackroyd-ish Sam after being used to the manic John Candy-ish VA from the cartoon.
In the end, I suppose it's no worse then getting adjusted to TTG's more Dan Ackroyd-ish Sam after being used to the manic John Candy-ish VA from the cartoon.
You seem to have some trouble understanding his native language. I'll translate.
He said, "In the end, I suppose it's no worse then getting adjusted to TTG's more Dan Ackroyd-ish Sam after being used to the manic John Candy-ish VA from the cartoon."
i'm complete idiot when it comes to law, and i tried to read this article about personality rights but still don't get it - do you actually need to contact actor in order to get rights to likeness or is it enough to get rights from the film rights holder? If you don't need approval from an actual actor then that would explain it why Wilson says he wasn't contacted at all
I honestly don't know either, but I was assuming since the announcement that "Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox have allowed us to use their likenesses" means that you have to get the the approval of the individual actors.
^
Read my post.
If they use the likeliness of Tom Wilson covered in make-up they don't have to ask for permission. Since future Biff doesn't look like the real Tom Wilson.
If that's the case we won't see young Biff anywhere in the game, especially if you need an approval from an artist, since Wilson says he wasn't contacted at all about the video game.
If that's the case we won't see young Biff anywhere in the game, especially if you need an approval from an artist, since Wilson says he wasn't contacted at all about the video game.
And I still think Wilson needs a new set of representatives since Telltale said that they got a hold of them, but he says they didn't. I can understand needing to go to the middleman, but middlemen still suck.
And I still think Wilson needs a new set of representatives since Telltale said that they got a hold of them, but he says they didn't. I can understand needing to go to the middleman, but middlemen still suck.
That's correct. In fact we went through a few different channels in our efforts to reach out to Mr. Wilson.
That's correct. In fact we went through a few different channels in our efforts to reach out to Mr. Wilson.
Well, it's a shame that you couldn't go directly to him, especially since he does have a YouTube channel, but yeah, as it was mentioned, that would be rude.
Shame though that for whatever reason, his reps apparently didn't tell him about the offer.
At this point, what's past is past. The only relevant question is: Is Telltale going to continue to try to get Tom Wilson, as they were able to get Earl Boen, during the course of the season (perhaps using footage of the first and/or second episode to persuade Mr. Wilson's representatives that the game is a quality product that he should be involved with)? If the answer is yes, then I'm still holding out hope that he will come on board at some point. If the answer is no, that Telltale is no longer going to try to get him, then I will start accepting and getting used to Kid Beyond's performance.
You can really tell that James Arnold Taylor is a professional voice actor.
His lines are very very good I think. I can hear a bit of Lloyd in there. And the formula line is just perfect!
At this point, what's past is past. The only relevant question is: Is Telltale going to continue to try to get Tom Wilson, as they were able to get Earl Boen, during the course of the season (perhaps using footage of the first and/or second episode to persuade Mr. Wilson's representatives that the game is a quality product that he should be involved with)? If the answer is yes, then I'm still holding out hope that he will come on board at some point. If the answer is no, that Telltale is no longer going to try to get him, then I will start accepting and getting used to Kid Beyond's performance.
Start accepting.
The Biff incarnations are ongoing roles in the game, and except for recalls, the voice recordings are done, I presume. That means for Wilson to be cast now, they would essentially have to re-record and re-pay for each and every Tannen line spoken. That's just not in the budget, whatever the budget is.
Only the first and second episodes are done, as far as I'm aware. There's still time. If Telltale says they're still going to try to reach out to Tom Wilson, I won't fully accept Kid Beyond as the new Biff until I hear him in episode 5. If Telltale says they're done trying to contact him, then I will start accepting him immediately.
^
Read my post.
If they use the likeliness of Tom Wilson covered in make-up they don't have to ask for permission. Since future Biff doesn't look like the real Tom Wilson.
Crispin Glover sued Universal for using his likeness in BTTF2. Young George was no where in that movie.
^
Yes he was.
They used stock footage of him punching Biff and telling Lorraine "Are you okay?"
Owh and him dancing solo in the ball room but with a binocular filter.
Also, they tried to make the actor look like Crispin through prostetics.
Which is slightly easier to do than with a cartoon representations.
^
Yes he was.
They used stock footage of him punching Biff and telling Lorraine "Are you okay?"
Owh and him dancing solo in the ball room but with a binocular filter.
Also, they tried to make the actor look like Crispin through prostetics.
Which is slightly easier to do than with a cartoon representations.
Doh! I forgot about that. But he specifically cited in a recent interview: "I just feel like I can be totally quiet about it and people [can] think that I've done this kind of wrong thing or I can tell the truth of what has happened. [Gale] did not address that what they did was totally immoral and illegal and just wrong. [They] put another actor into false nose, chin and cheekbones in order to fool people into believing that I was in the film."
^
I guess it's all relative and the judge looked at the total picture.
In Glover's case what he says about putting someone else in the movie fooling people it was him is true though. A lot of people only find out much later to be quite shocked.
So again, I don't know if Biff gave the okay word for his likeliness.
I am just 100% sure that if he would sue no judge would deem TTG to be guilty.
Yes their cartoon representation of Biff looks and feels like Biff, but it is not Tom Wilson.
At least not enough to win a case.
Personally.. I think BTTF could ask Tom to come back, but this time.. allow Biff to use either the Delorean or the Time train to come and save the day somehow. Instead of being the "Bully" maybe this bully can become the guy who saves the day somehow. After all, he knows Doc and Marty (Based off the BTTF Ride storyline, Doc DID save Biff too) So it could be the new angle.
I remind you that the first season of Sam and Max they changed the voice of Max in the space of the first and second episode. I'm not sure but I think William Kasten had to rerecorded all the lines Kid Beyond had to do for the second episode.
Well tbh getting Christopher Lloyd was the important one, as I think we can all agree. As long as the replacement voice actor does a good job of voicing Biff, I don't mind at all.
OK can Alan Johnson or someone set me straight here?
Are we saying Tom Wilson was happy to reprise Biff for the
new games, but he didn`t get hired cos Telltale couldn`t
get a hold of him??? Eh???
That we have a Wilson-less BTTF project, when he even did the crappy
(sorry) cartoon version, just cos of a communication
breakdown!?
As a BTTF fan of 25 years, that`s more than frustrating!
Or as Doc would say "unbelievable!"
Or am I wrong somewhere?
Cheers!
(Ps pllllllllease TT get Tom for the sequel, as I`m sure this game
will still be a big success and lead to one. But having only Chris
Lloyd ,of the original cast, just aint enough! For me anyway.)
I don't think either party would have cause to lie about this situation. If Wilson was contacted and declined the role, he could have said so in his YouTube comment. If Telltale didn't contact Wilson, they could have said they didn't. So, there was either a communications breakdown, or Tom Wilson's agent/manager/representative turned down the role on Wilson's behalf without consulting with him.
maybe, just MAYBE, Wilson has distanced himself from the MOVIE franchise and told his agents not to disturb him about anything like BttF celebrations, reunions and such for whatever reason there might be - i don't know anything about his relationship with the franchise owners or if he just had enough about the movies like he expressed in a funny way in the Biff song.
However, maybe his agents wrongly interpreted that as not to pass him the offer for video game either, which Wilson might accept, and as we know it, he has already done a fantastic video game role as Maniac in Wing Commander 3 and 4.
Comments
i'm complete idiot when it comes to law, and i tried to read this article about personality rights but still don't get it - do you actually need to contact actor in order to get rights to likeness or is it enough to get rights from the film rights holder? If you don't need approval from an actual actor then that would explain it why Wilson says he wasn't contacted at all
Take into consideration that the art looks like Tom Wilson with all the make-up.
I don't think they resemble young Biff that much.
In the end, I suppose it's no worse then getting adjusted to TTG's more Dan Ackroyd-ish Sam after being used to the manic John Candy-ish VA from the cartoon.
He said, "In the end, I suppose it's no worse then getting adjusted to TTG's more Dan Ackroyd-ish Sam after being used to the manic John Candy-ish VA from the cartoon."
I honestly don't know either, but I was assuming since the announcement that "Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox have allowed us to use their likenesses" means that you have to get the the approval of the individual actors.
Read my post.
If they use the likeliness of Tom Wilson covered in make-up they don't have to ask for permission. Since future Biff doesn't look like the real Tom Wilson.
It is possible to see a young Biff. But his face will probably resemble the wimpy Biff more.
And I still think Wilson needs a new set of representatives since Telltale said that they got a hold of them, but he says they didn't. I can understand needing to go to the middleman, but middlemen still suck.
That's correct. In fact we went through a few different channels in our efforts to reach out to Mr. Wilson.
Well, it's a shame that you couldn't go directly to him, especially since he does have a YouTube channel, but yeah, as it was mentioned, that would be rude.
Shame though that for whatever reason, his reps apparently didn't tell him about the offer.
I think what Alan is trying to say here with 'a few different channels' that they also tried his Youtube channel.
Well, I thought that he said they didn't want to contact him personally, and since that is his YouTube channel, that'd be personally, IMO anyways.
His lines are very very good I think. I can hear a bit of Lloyd in there. And the formula line is just perfect!
Start accepting.
The Biff incarnations are ongoing roles in the game, and except for recalls, the voice recordings are done, I presume. That means for Wilson to be cast now, they would essentially have to re-record and re-pay for each and every Tannen line spoken. That's just not in the budget, whatever the budget is.
Agreed. It's truly a young Doc Brown imho.
inb4alansayswearedonetryingtocontacthim
Crispin Glover sued Universal for using his likeness in BTTF2. Young George was no where in that movie.
Yes he was.
They used stock footage of him punching Biff and telling Lorraine "Are you okay?"
Owh and him dancing solo in the ball room but with a binocular filter.
Also, they tried to make the actor look like Crispin through prostetics.
Which is slightly easier to do than with a cartoon representations.
Doh! I forgot about that. But he specifically cited in a recent interview: "I just feel like I can be totally quiet about it and people [can] think that I've done this kind of wrong thing or I can tell the truth of what has happened. [Gale] did not address that what they did was totally immoral and illegal and just wrong. [They] put another actor into false nose, chin and cheekbones in order to fool people into believing that I was in the film."
I guess it's all relative and the judge looked at the total picture.
In Glover's case what he says about putting someone else in the movie fooling people it was him is true though. A lot of people only find out much later to be quite shocked.
So again, I don't know if Biff gave the okay word for his likeliness.
I am just 100% sure that if he would sue no judge would deem TTG to be guilty.
Yes their cartoon representation of Biff looks and feels like Biff, but it is not Tom Wilson.
At least not enough to win a case.
Hahaha, good one!
(And it's Grima Wormtongue, not Silver Wolftongue!)
I don't think I would call it a 'scandal'.
OK can Alan Johnson or someone set me straight here?
Are we saying Tom Wilson was happy to reprise Biff for the
new games, but he didn`t get hired cos Telltale couldn`t
get a hold of him??? Eh???
That we have a Wilson-less BTTF project, when he even did the crappy
(sorry) cartoon version, just cos of a communication
breakdown!?
As a BTTF fan of 25 years, that`s more than frustrating!
Or as Doc would say "unbelievable!"
Or am I wrong somewhere?
Cheers!
(Ps pllllllllease TT get Tom for the sequel, as I`m sure this game
will still be a big success and lead to one. But having only Chris
Lloyd ,of the original cast, just aint enough! For me anyway.)
Well, we don't know for a fact if Tom would have been happy to do it or not. All we can do is speculate.
1. Tom Wilson's YouTube comment, in answer to a question asking whether he had been contacted to reprise the role of Biff in the game:
That last sentence, although clearly sarcastic, also implies that he would have been happy to reprise the role if he had been contacted.
2. Alan Johnson has said, repeatedly, that Telltale attempted to contact Tom Wilson:
http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=413172&postcount=78
http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=413178&postcount=81
http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=413358&postcount=96
http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=415028&postcount=175
I don't think either party would have cause to lie about this situation. If Wilson was contacted and declined the role, he could have said so in his YouTube comment. If Telltale didn't contact Wilson, they could have said they didn't. So, there was either a communications breakdown, or Tom Wilson's agent/manager/representative turned down the role on Wilson's behalf without consulting with him.
However, maybe his agents wrongly interpreted that as not to pass him the offer for video game either, which Wilson might accept, and as we know it, he has already done a fantastic video game role as Maniac in Wing Commander 3 and 4.