Ben Affleck‘s latest film, “Animals,” arrives on Netflix on October 9 and will also be shown in select theaters. He also directs the crime thriller and stars alongside Kerry Washington. Recently, after admitting the new movie used artificial intelligence, the Hollywood icon shed more light on how the technology was used while also addressing problems beyond AI that the movie business has suffered from.
Ben Affleck Discusses His Use Of AI In ‘Animals’
The Hollywood Reporter interviewed Affleck on the red carpet at the premiere of “Animals.” During the conversation, he was asked about his earlier statements about the film in which he revealed that artificial intelligence was used in the production. Notably, many have since wondered how extensively it was used.
Regarding his approach to the technology, he said, “I wouldn’t use something that trains on or has learned from any work that is copywritten, or that is an intelligence created by a peer of mine or somebody that I look up to.”
The 54-year-old continued, “That was why we created a dataset that was proprietary, so that it wouldn’t have to be extractive.” After that, Afflect stated that he has no interest in making a film “where you just type things and things come out.”
From there, he cast doubt that Hollywood would ever come to a place where movies were created from prompts. According to him, “I don’t think that’s ever going to happen in a way that anyone’s going to give a sh-t enough to want to see it. I wouldn’t want to be part of it if it was.”
The ‘Argo’ Star Explained His Goals With Using AI In Filmmaking
Affleck started his AI filmmaking company, InterPositive, in 2022. Since then, he’s been fairly open about his belief that the technology can benefit the movie industry, especially regarding budgets. While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he discussed his goals for implementing artificial intelligence in film.
He said, “What I’m trying to do is actually bring this technology into our business, into a place where these companies who are guild signatories, who have relationships with the creative community, who aren’t going to just go ahead and put you in a movie without your permission and without paying you.”
Affleck continued, “That can’t be said for a lot of tech platforms and other spaces where we don’t just abjure this technology and allow others to take it and dominate it, and then weaken ourselves.” He went on to say that he’s “uncomfortable” with how “some of the ways some tech companies behave around image and likeness.”
In describing how he used AI on the upcoming Netflix movie, he explained, “This is a discrete set of tools. It’s not about making fake people or replacing anybody, ever. It’s about another interesting post tool, and if you can see it or if you can tell what it is, like, you’ve ruined it. Just like a bad visual effect, just like a bad performance.”
He Sold His AI Company To Netflix In March
As mentioned, Affleck quietly owned InterPositve for several years before most of the public learned it existed. However, according to Variety, he sold it to Netflix in March for $587 million in cash.
The deal meant the streamer would own the technology, and the team of 16 engineers, researchers, and creatives would continue their work. Regarding Affleck’s role with InterPositive, he now serves as a senior advisor.
The “Animals” star released a statement amid the acquisition. He said, “From the invention of the moving image to the transition to digital, from motion capture to virtual production, technology has evolved alongside the artists who use it. Our shared commitment to continuing this legacy makes joining together a natural next step, in addition to Netflix’s decades of experience applying and scaling technology responsibly.”
Ben Affleck First Revealed ‘Animals’ Used AI At An Event
Affleck took part in Bloomberg’s Screentime event on September 30. While discussing “Animals,” the Oscar-winning actor admitted, “I used [AI] for lots of things in that movie.”
He continued, “I’m a little bit hesitant to point out what they are — or even talk about it — because in my business, we’re trying to foster the illusion of reality, right?” The director then drew a comparison, saying, “It’s sort of like if you went to a magic show and the magician walked out and said, ‘Just before I start, I want you to know there’s another bunny under here.’”
He’s Producing Multiple Upcoming Projects
“Animals” will be released on October 9 on Netflix and will also play in select movie theaters. In the near future, Affleck will executive produce two movies with his close friend Matt Damon. First, there’s the upcoming documentary “Turbalance: The Greatest Mind in Formula One.”
The other project is “Flash Before the Bang,” a sports drama about a deaf high school track team. Neither project has an announced release date.
