Bitcoin Biopic Incorporating AI Technology

A casting notice for an upcoming Bitcoin biopic directed by Doug Liman and produced by Ryan Kavanaugh indicates that the film may integrate AI technology to enhance certain performances. Actors will perform on a specialized stage designed for markerless capture, employing new AI tools.

The notice outlines that producers may “alter, add to, capture, translate, reformat, or reprocess” performances, which includes adjusting various movements using generative artificial intelligence (GAI) or machine learning. Importantly, it clarifies that AI won’t be utilized to create a “recognizable and identifiable digital replica” of an actor without prior consent.

In a statement, Kavanaugh emphasized the careful approach taken regarding AI, stating, “We only use performance capture AI. We’re not employing fictitious AI-generated actors. AI is just a tool to make our filmmaking process smoother, preserving jobs while ideally contributing to industry growth.”

The casting notice mentions that performers might share scenes with AI-generated characters. However, insiders suggest that this reference was mistakenly included and that no such characters will actually feature in the film.

One production official downplayed the AI aspect, asserting, “All the actors in this movie are real. The specifications needed to create a fully AI actor weren’t feasible.”

Moreover, the source confirmed that “Killing Satoshi” will not be filmed on location. Instead, all backgrounds and settings will be developed using AI, which can also enhance actors’ performances to eliminate the need for reshoots. “If the delivery isn’t perfect in motion, we can utilize AI to refine it,” they noted.

This development raises significant questions related to compensation and consent in the ongoing discussions surrounding copyright infringement lawsuits and union contract negotiations, particularly in creative sectors. SAG-AFTRA, which began negotiating new deals with studios in February, is focused on delineating the boundaries regarding the reuse of material. The complexities of “synthetic” acting versus human performance are prompting unions to seek legal protections for actors’ names and likenesses.

Filming for “Killing Satoshi” is expected to commence soon in the UK. A casting notice seeks supporting actors for engagements from the end of this month through March. The film narrates the story of the enigmatic Bitcoin creator known as Satoshi Nakamoto, who initiated the cryptocurrency revolution with a white paper in 2008. The quest to uncover Nakamoto’s identity has captivated many, akin to the intrigue surrounding Deep Throat during Watergate.

“Killing Satoshi” is being financed by Kavanaugh’s Proxima and Aperture Media Partners, with the script penned by Nick Schenk, and Dixie Chassay already cast in the project.