AI’s Blockbuster Role: Hollywood’s Ongoing Debate
The AI Revolution in Hollywood
Inside a historic soundstage once graced by silent film icons like Charlie Chaplin and Mabel Normand, Hollywood’s elite—executives, actors, and filmmakers—sipped cocktails while marveling at what some hail as the biggest advancement since the transition to sound: AI-generated video.
However, whether artificial intelligence represents the dawn of a new era or a looming threat to the industry remains a hotly contested issue.
Just two years ago, Hollywood was at a standstill as actors and writers went on strike, demanding safeguards against AI encroachment. Today, AI is increasingly integrated into television, movies, and video games, with two Oscar-winning films showcasing its potential.
As a DJ spun ‘90s hip-hop tracks, computer developers mingled with Hollywood’s traditional power players, signaling the shifting dynamics within the industry.
The Inevitable Rise of AI in Filmmaking
AI’s presence in Hollywood is “inevitable,” says Bryn Mooser, co-founder of Moonvalley, which developed the AI-powered video generator “Marey.” Unlike other AI tools that have sparked controversy, Moonvalley’s approach compensates filmmakers for their footage, ensuring ethical content use.
“Artists should be at the table,” Mooser emphasizes. He argues that it’s better for filmmakers to create AI tools for their industry rather than be overtaken by big tech corporations.
Hollywood has long depicted AI as an antagonist, from Skynet in The Terminator to rogue algorithms in sci-fi thrillers. Yet, real-world concerns center less on AI itself and more on the companies developing it. AI models are often trained using publicly available data, which includes copyrighted content—raising alarms among creators who feel their work is being exploited without permission.
Legal Battles Over AI and Copyright
Tech giants such as OpenAI and Google are currently facing lawsuits from writers, actors, and news organizations for allegedly using copyrighted material without consent. While major studios like Paramount, Disney, and Universal have been urged to take legal action, none have done so yet.
“We’ve all fought very hard for copyright laws, and nobody wants to see their work stolen for someone else’s profit,” Mooser asserts.
Despite the controversy, AI is already making its mark in Hollywood. Oscar-nominated films Emilia Perez and The Brutalist used AI to alter voices, with The Brutalist employing AI to refine Adrian Brody’s Hungarian accent—an effort that didn’t prevent him from winning Best Actor. Additionally, AI has been used to de-age actors like Tom Hanks and Harrison Ford.
AI’s Growing Influence on the Industry
AI’s role in filmmaking is expanding rapidly. OpenAI recently hosted an AI film festival in Los Angeles, while renowned Marvel directors Joe and Anthony Russo revealed plans to invest $400 million in developing AI tools for filmmakers.
The long-term effects of AI on the entertainment industry remain uncertain. Generative AI, capable of learning and problem-solving in ways that mimic human intelligence, has fueled concerns about job displacement. AI is already being used to generate scripts, animate characters, design virtual locations, and even replicate human voices.
According to OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT, the most vulnerable Hollywood jobs include background actors, while A-list actors and directors remain largely irreplaceable due to their brand recognition.
At a Moonvalley gathering, AI was the primary topic of discussion, though few attendees were willing to go on record. Nevertheless, many industry leaders traveled across Los Angeles in the rain—an unusual feat in the city—to engage in conversations about AI’s potential.
“We’re here to learn,” shared one executive, who endured an hour of traffic to attend. “We’re not signing anything or buying anything, but we’re interested.”
AI’s Potential to Democratize Filmmaking
Moonvalley’s founders, Mooser and Naeem Talukdar, are optimistic about AI’s ability to revolutionize filmmaking. They believe AI could enable filmmakers to create blockbuster-quality productions on smaller budgets, lowering barriers for independent creators.
“This technology is utterly meaningless without the artist at the center of it; the technology needs to ultimately be subservient to the artist,” Talukdar states.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government is considering an AI policy overhaul. Tech companies argue that restrictive copyright laws hinder their ability to compete with China, advocating for a “fair use” designation on copyrighted movies, TV shows, and art to train AI models. Hollywood, however, fiercely opposes this proposal, citing the industry’s 2.3 million jobs at stake.
A coalition of 400 Hollywood A-listers, led by actress and writer Natasha Lyonne—who helped develop Moonvalley—recently urged the Trump administration to protect creative industries. Signatories included high-profile figures like Ben Stiller, Paul McCartney, Cate Blanchett, and Lilly Wachowski, co-creator of The Matrix—a film that eerily foreshadowed AI-driven dystopias.
The Battle Over AI in Entertainment
Hollywood’s fears about AI’s impact on employment are not unfounded. Earlier this month, outside a Disney Character Voices office, actors protested against video game companies for refusing to negotiate AI-related protections.
“Using actual actors is the key to a lot of the drama and enjoyment that people get from video games,” explains actor DW McCann. “People have lived experiences that AI just can’t understand.”
Actors are demanding contracts that prevent AI from replicating their voices and likenesses without consent.
Mooser maintains that AI, when used ethically, can enhance creativity rather than replace it. By expediting processes like set design and world-building, AI can serve as a powerful tool for filmmakers—provided artists retain control.
“We’re trying to say, look, technology is going to be in everything. Let’s fight as hard as we can to ensure it’s done the right way and that artists aren’t steamrolled by big companies.”
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