In a hilarious and slightly disturbing new deep fake video, Christina Ricci’s Wednesday Adams is recast as Ron Swanson of Parks and Rec fame. Deep fake videos use machine learning technology to edit videos, and this isn’t the first time Swanson has appeared in deep fake fan art.
Parks and Rec ended several years ago, but it’s still streaming on Netflix. The series still has a very devoted fan base, and Ron Swanson remains one of the most popular characters. Played by mustachioed actor Nick Offerman, Swanson has lived on in merchandise, memes, and Halloween costumes since the show ended its run on NBC in 2015. Likewise, Wednesday Addams is a common sight on Halloween, and the Addams Family lives on in a new animated movie.
In a new deep fake video by YouTube artist Dr. Frankenstein, Ron Swanson’s voice and image are imposed over Wednesday Addam’s proto-goth visage. The results are both amusing and bizarre, as many deep fake videos flirt with the uncanny valley. This isn’t the first time Dr. Frankenstein has used Swanson to great comedic effect. A previous deep fake video with more than 200,000 views superimposed Swanson’s face onto the entire cast of Full House, including baby Michelle. Fans of The Addams Family and Swanson can see the video below, which uses clips from the camp scenes in Addams Family Values.
Wednesday Addams’ portrayal by a young Ricci has become an iconic piece of 1990s cinema. Like the popular Parks and Rec character, the Wednesday character in Addams Family Values has also been a wellspring of creativity for meme creators. The millennial fan-favorites both have a dry wit and down-to-earth frankness, which makes their pairing here perfectly natural. Even four years after the end of Parks and Rec, Swanson remains as popular as ever. Of course, not all uses of deep fake technology are as harmless as Ron Swanson/Addams Family Values fan videos.
Deep fake videos are a relatively new technology, but an increasingly relevant one in the age of Fake News. While the technology can be used to create funny memes and YouTube videos, it also has a darker potential. A video of President Obama was altered with deep fake technology to make it appear as if the former leader of the free world said something deeply offensive. Film actresses have also expressed alarm at the potential for deep fake videos to be used by amateur pornographers seeking to capitalize off leading ladies’ image. This particular instance of deep fake technology is perfectly harmless, but the technology is still in its infancy. In the years to come, it could prove to be a very disruptive technology.
Next: What Nick Offerman Has Done Since Parks & Rec
Source: Dr. Frankenstein
