Rick and Morty fans speculate that ousted creator and voice actor Justin Roiland will be replaced by A.I. after he was accused of sexual harassment and predatory behavior

With just over a month remaining until the new season of Rick & Morty, fans are speculating that ousted co-creator/voice actor Justin Roiland will be replaced with A.I.

Roiland, 43, voiced both mad scientist Rick Sanchez and his 14-year-old grandson Morty Smith in the hit Adult Swim series, which debuted in 2013, with the new season slated to debut October 15.

The network cut ties with Roiland in January 2023, after his previously-unreported 2020 arrest for domestic battery and false imprisonment was made public, though the criminal charges against him were dropped in March 2023 due to lack of evidence, though there is no indication he is returning to the show.

Adult Swim revealed shortly after the arrest was made public that Roiland was dismissed, and the characters he voices - which also include Noob Noob, Mr. Poopybutthole and Naruto Smith - would be re-cast.

Executive producer Steven Levy revealed to fans at San Diego Comic-Con in July that there will be 'sound alikes' that will sound like the characters did when Roiland voiced them... though now many on Reddit are convinced Roiland will be replaced with A.I. 

Replacement: With just over a month remaining until the new season of Rick & Morty, fans are speculating that ousted co-creator/voice actor Justin Roiland will be replaced with A.I.

New season: Roiland, 43, voiced both mad scientist Rick Sanchez and his 14-year-old grandson Morty Smith in the hit Adult Swim series, which debuted in 2013, with the new season slated to debut October 15.

'I mean the timing is perfect don’t you think? AI is becoming a reality where this could be the case,' the Reddit poster stated, though the post was ultimately removed by moderators.

Still, while the post was removed, many Redditors took exception to this suggestions, particularly since it's one of the main points of contention in both the ongoing actors and writers strikes.

'The worst idea i have ever heard in my life,' wrote Redditor illvria, while jayozWAR added, 'I’m really hoping that’s not the case.'

Both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA are seeking regulation for the use of A.I., with fears that it could be used to completely replace screenwriters.

The actors are also opposing the use of full body scans that could be used by the studios forever after paying the actor just one flat fee for the likeness. 

Rick and Morty executive producer Steven Levy told fans at San Diego Comic-Con in July they were 'close' to finishing the re-casting process.

'We are closing in on the end of our process of the recast, but I do want to say it’s gonna be great,” Executive Producer Steven Levy said. 

'I am thoroughly impressed with everything that’s going on, including all the work on season 7. Truly, that’s the thing I don’t want to be overshadowed. The show is as good as it’s ever been,' he added.

Timing: 'I mean the timing is perfect don’t you think? AI is becoming a reality where this could be the case,' the Reddit poster stated, though the post was ultimately removed by moderators

Strikes: Still, while the post was removed, many Redditors took exception to this suggestions, particularly since it's one of the main points of contention in both the ongoing actors and writers strikes.

Worst idea: 'The worst idea i have ever heard in my life,' wrote Redditor illvria, while jayozWAR added, 'I’m really hoping that’s not the case'

Close: Rick and Morty executive producer Steven Levy told fans at San Diego Comic-Con in July they were 'close' to finishing the re-casting process

When asked by a fan in the audience if the new voice actors will sound the same, Levy had this to say.

'It’s sound-alikes. The characters are the same characters. No change,' Levy said, which was met with thunderous applause from the Comic-Con crowd.

Still, even if they are 'sound-alikes,' the replacement voice cast members have yet to be announced with just weeks left until the season starts, which has fueled the A.I. speculation.

It's also worth noting that Rick and Morty is an animated show whose workers are represented by The Annimation Guild (TAG), and not the WGA or SAG-AFTRA.