In the making of Here, Robert Zemeckis’ latest film, Tom Hanks experienced a level of technological innovation that few actors have encountered in their careers. On set, after every cut, Hanks would rush to two monitors: one displaying the raw footage captured by the cameras, and the other showing a version of him at various ages, created in real-time using generative AI. This cutting-edge technology, developed by VFX studio Metaphysic, allowed the veteran actor to age throughout the film—from his high school years to his senior years—without relying on extensive makeup or costly digital de-aging techniques. Hanks adjusted his performance based on what he saw: if he needed to portray a younger version of his character, he might spring up off the couch with more energy; for an older scene, he would stiffen his movements.
The seamless integration of AI in Here highlights the profound shifts happening in the film industry, driven in large part by advancements in artificial intelligence. A few years ago, a movie like Here—which demanded substantial VFX to age an actor—would have been an impossibility due to prohibitive costs. For context, films like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which also used groundbreaking visual effects to age Brad Pitt, incurred sky-high VFX budgets, likely surpassing Here‘s entire $45 million budget. But thanks to AI-driven technologies like those used in Here, the economics of such films have changed dramatically.
Jim Geduldick, the virtual production supervisor on Here, explains that without AI, such a project would have been far too expensive. “It would have been too cost-prohibitive to do that amount of VFX,” he says. In the wake of AI’s increasing influence, the industry is seeing a revolution in how films are made—especially at a time when film and TV production has reached historic lows.
The so-called “Peak TV” era, when studios were relentlessly competing for subscriber attention with a glut of new content, has faded. Today, profitability and efficiency are more critical than ever. AI is seen as a potential game-changer, offering ways to cut costs in areas such as special effects, animation, and storyboarding. But there is a trade-off. The rise of AI could result in the automation of many postproduction jobs, potentially displacing large segments of Hollywood’s workforce.
Ben Affleck, no stranger to industry shifts, stirred up conversation in November when he warned that the VFX industry might be particularly vulnerable to automation. “I wouldn’t want to be in the VFX business,” he remarked, predicting that AI could disrupt traditional roles. However, Affleck’s outlook isn’t entirely negative. He believes AI could benefit creative professionals by making filmmaking more affordable and accessible, especially for projects that might otherwise never see the light of day. As he puts it, AI will “make it easier for the people who want to make Good Will Hunting’s to go out and make it.”
Affleck’s sentiments are echoed by industry insiders. Michael Burns, Lionsgate’s vice chairman, sees AI as a tool that can help filmmakers reduce costs in areas like special effects and landscape design, ultimately making it easier to get films made. Lionsgate is already testing the waters with AI, having partnered with the New York-based AI company Runway to create a generative AI model tailored for the studio’s use. This collaboration will assist with behind-the-scenes production processes, including storyboarding and visual effects design.
Such partnerships signal the growing acceptance of AI in Hollywood. Meeka Bondy, a legal expert and former senior vice president at HBO, observes that AI is beginning to gain legitimacy in the industry, comparing its growing role in filmmaking to how AI might change other industries—like contract law. “This is going to change how films and TV shows are produced,” she says. “Just like when I draft a contract in the future, I might not start with a blank piece of paper. I might start with a first draft created by AI or ten drafts created by AI. The same thing will happen in film.”
However, the rise of AI has raised complex questions about labor rights and intellectual property. While writers and actors have secured certain protections regarding AI, many other workers—particularly in VFX—do not have the same safeguards. The Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild have negotiated deals that restrict how AI can be used in their fields. For example, AI-generated scripts cannot be credited as the work of a human writer, and actors must consent to the digital creation of their likenesses, with compensation for the use of their image or voice.
In contrast, the Animation Guild’s recent contract negotiations highlighted a gap in protections against AI. Despite some advancements, the contract leaves room for AI to be used more liberally in animation production, with minimal safeguards for workers. Mike Riana, a director on The Mitchells vs. the Machines, expressed his concern that studios could replace human workers with AI, arguing that the industry hasn’t done enough to protect jobs.
The VFX sector, in particular, faces uncertain times as AI is increasingly integrated into pre-production and post-production workflows. AI is already being used in areas like storyboarding, character design, and background art, but the real impact may be felt in the VFX departments, where labor-intensive processes can be significantly streamlined by automation. However, despite fears of job losses, some VFX artists are embracing the technology, leveraging AI to enhance their work. “You won’t need a 300-person VFX team; that may be true,” says Geduldick. “But you’ll need a dedicated set of artists to wield the AI.”
In conclusion, AI’s growing influence in Hollywood represents both a challenge and an opportunity. On one hand, it promises to make filmmaking more affordable, efficient, and creative by reducing costs in key areas like visual effects and animation. On the other hand, it raises difficult questions about labor displacement, intellectual property, and the future of creative jobs. As the industry navigates this transformation, it’s clear that AI is poised to play an increasingly central role in the way films and TV shows are made, for better or for worse.
