How Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Hollywood Movies

Culture / Entertainment / Films / AI
By Newsroom,  published 25 October 2025 at 15h57, updated on 25 October 2025 at 15h57.
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Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the film industry, reshaping everything from screenwriting to visual effects. As Hollywood embraces these new technologies, questions are emerging about the creative and ethical boundaries of AI in cinema.

TL;DR

  • AI threatens film industry jobs, especially for extras.
  • Hollywood figures strongly oppose replacing humans with digital avatars.
  • The debate raises deep economic and ethical concerns.

AI’s Arrival on Set Sparks Industry Turmoil

When Kevin O’Leary, investor and host of the reality show Shark Tank, suggested that productions could “save millions” by deploying artificial intelligence to replace human extras with digital avatars, the reaction was immediate and fierce. His remarks landed at a time of heightened sensitivity within the American film sector, where fears about the consequences of such technological shifts run deep. The proposed cost-cutting move has exposed rifts between economic pragmatism and the preservation of Hollywood’s unique professional fabric.

Backlash from Hollywood: More Than a Matter of Money

Prominent voices across the industry have not minced words in their condemnation. On X (formerly Twitter), actor Simu Liu, celebrated for his leading role in Marvel’s Shang-Chi, fired back: “It’s easy to blame struggling extras rather than millionaire stars.” Director Steven DeKnight went further, calling O’Leary’s proposal “insulting” and “out of touch.” These reactions highlight a deeper tension—between those focused on financial efficiency and those defending the essential, if often overlooked, human element at the heart of filmmaking.

The Human Cost: Extras as Hollywood’s Lifeblood

Several factors explain why this controversy strikes such a nerve:

  • Extras serve as an entry point for countless aspiring actors.
  • The budget for extras remains minor compared to star salaries or special effects.
  • Losing these opportunities could erode the talent pool fueling future productions.

Before starring in Marvel blockbusters, even Simu Liu walked this path—working as an extra and taking on stunt roles. To erase these stepping stones, many argue, would mean sacrificing diversity and richness in the industry’s creative ranks for only marginal financial gain.

The economic argument is not entirely baseless. With films like Marty Supreme reportedly costing $60–70 million—a modest sum compared to today’s mega-productions—producers are understandably alert to ways of tightening budgets. But as recent negotiations with union SAG-AFTRA have shown, studios’ attempts to digitize performers raise major ethical flags. While improved contracts now offer some protection against studios exploiting likenesses indefinitely, persistent vigilance will be required to defend workers’ rights as technology evolves.

Ultimately, integrating AI into filmmaking seems inevitable. Yet Hollywood faces hard questions about where to draw the line between innovation and safeguarding the people who keep its creative engine running.

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