It’s safe to say that James Cameron will never cast Tilly Norwood in a movie.
During a recent interview with CBS’ Sunday Morning, “The Terminator” director explained that even before the invention of generative AI, some Hollywood insiders thought he would use computer graphics to replace actors while he was developing the first “Avatar” film in 2005.
He recalls, “For years it seemed like they were doing something weird with computers and replacing actors, when in fact once you dig deeper and see what we’re doing, it’s a celebration of the actor-director moment.”
Cameron said that now that generative AI is taking over the industry, the idea that the technology could replace an artist is “horrible.”
“Now go to the other end of the spectrum, and you have generative AI, where they can create a character,” Cameron added. “They can invent an actor. They can invent a performance from scratch with a text message. It’s like no. It horrifies me. It’s the opposite. It’s exactly what we don’t do.”
In September, actress and producer Eline Van der Velden introduced the world to AI performer Tilly Norwood at the Zurich Summit, boasting that her team had already attracted interest from several talent agencies. The presentation sparked immediate reaction from industry leaders.
During a meeting with Varietysaid Van der Velden, despite the overwhelming negative reactions, the presence of AI will only grow in cinema.
“I think it will be a slow progression,” she said. “I’m sure over the next year there will be a lot of effects done with AI. There will be base shots, there will be second unit shots with AI, and then slowly we’ll move towards a fully AI-based movie. And whether people pay for a movie with AI or not, I don’t think they’ll make the difference. It’s good storytelling that will be the reason why people will pay for it or not.”
