Hollywood’s Relationship with AI: Contradiction and Opportunity
There’s been a lot of chatter in Hollywood about AI, but is it genuine concern or just self-interest? The reality is: AI is on its way, and there’s no stopping it. This change might actually be a positive thing.
As highlighted in a recent article, big names like Martin Scorsese, Ben Affleck, and Matthew McConaughey are already embracing AI. Although they publicly support unions and claim that AI won’t take over human jobs, that perspective seems quite naive.
Affleck’s AI venture, Interpositive, suggests that AI’s role in post-production is simply to enhance lighting or remove elements like stunt ropes. It’s a laughable claim since CGI has been doing those things for ages. In fact, Netflix just invested $600 million in a company that specializes in this very technology. As one source put it, the cost of removing ropes is surprisingly steep.
“Hollywood’s key players are keeping their cards close,” noted an insider. There’s a bit of deception here; studios aren’t fully transparent about how much AI they utilize.
Doug Liman is currently shooting a film with Academy Award winner Casey Affleck, and thanks to AI, the project’s budget has plummeted from $300 million to just $75 million across 200 shooting locations. Technically speaking, there’s no ethical distinction between AI and CGI. It’s pragmatic—no need for an extensive team to replicate a setting like Antarctica, leading to significant savings.
Interestingly, Val Kilmer’s likeness will make an appearance in an upcoming film, entirely through AI.
If you doubt the potential of AI, just check out Starlink’s customer service. They were surprisingly efficient and straightforward—definitely one of the best experiences I’ve encountered. No fluff, quick answers, and really easy to understand.
Honestly, it seems likely that someone capable will eventually produce an outstanding AI-driven movie, much like how *The Matrix* came out in 1999, all at a fraction of the cost. There’s a genuine fear in Hollywood that this might actually occur through platforms like YouTube instead of the traditional studio system.
That’s the wonderful aspect of AI: it empowers outsiders to share stories with high production value. No more exorbitant budgets, no need for studio green lights, and no middlemen to block access.
Given how detached the entertainment industry seems from its audience—believing that a certain kind of Supergirl or the portrayal of Michael Jackson won’t be well-received—AI’s arrival could not be more timely.
The industry is on the brink of a transformative shift, much like what happened with Napster, and many forward-thinking individuals recognize that this revolution has already started.
Matthew McConaughey recently filed multiple trademark applications to protect his likeness online, yet he also expressed interest in having his voice translated into Spanish. This suggests that he may be on the verge of capitalizing on his image for films and streaming content well into the future.
What’s the true value of McConaughey to an AI production company? It’s not just the actor himself; one day he’ll age and fade from leading roles. Imagine having a prime version of him (or Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Sandra Bullock) forever. What would that be worth? Could a company shell out $300 million or even a billion? The financial potential for stars like these—akin to legendary figures like Cary Grant—is enormous.
We’re on the cusp of a groundbreaking future, a technological upheaval that we can’t ignore, no matter how much we might want to.
