James Cameron Condemns AI’s Potential to “make Up an Actor,” Contrasting Early ’Avatar‘ Tech
LOS ANGELES, CA – Director James Cameron has sharply criticized the rise of generative artificial intelligence in filmmaking, calling the prospect of AI creating actors and performances from scratch “horrifying.” The comments come as the industry grapples with the implications of rapidly advancing AI technology and its potential to disrupt established creative roles.
Cameron’s stance is notably noteworthy given past misconceptions surrounding his pioneering work on 2005’s “Avatar.” He revealed that some Hollywood insiders initially feared he was developing computer graphics to replace actors, when in reality, the technology was intended to enhance and celebrate the actor-director collaboration. “For years, there was this sense that, ‘oh, they’re doing something strange with computers and they’re replacing actors,’ when actually, once you really drill down and you see what we’re doing, it’s a celebration of the actor-director moment,” Cameron recalled.
The current debate intensified in September with the introduction of Tilly norwood, an AI performer presented at the Zurich Summit by comedian and producer Eline Van der Velden. Van der Velden claimed multiple talent agencies had expressed interest, sparking immediate backlash from industry leaders, including SAG-AFTRA. The controversy underscores a growing anxiety within the entertainment industry about the potential for AI to displace human actors and creatives.
Van der Velden, in a recent interview with Variety, predicted a gradual integration of AI into filmmaking, starting with effects and establishing shots before possibly culminating in full AI-generated films. She suggested audiences may not even be able to distinguish between human and AI-created content, with ”good storytelling” ultimately determining a film’s success.
Cameron, though, vehemently disagrees with this outlook. “Now, go to the other end of the spectrum, and you’ve got generative AI, where they can make up a character,” he said.”They can make up an actor. They can make up a performance from scratch with a text prompt. It’s like, no. That’s horrifying to me. That’s the opposite. That’s exactly what we’re not doing.”
