Hollywood’s AI ‘Perfection’ Is Making Movies Less Human

Hollywood’s AI-Enabled ‘Perfection’: The End of Human in Film?

Filmmakers today are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence to achieve a level of ‘perfection’ that some argue is at the expense of genuine human artistry. From subtle enhancements to voice and appearance alterations, AI is being deployed to correct perceived flaws, often creating a paradox where ‘authentic’ becomes synonymous with ‘inhuman.’

A prime example of this trend can be seen in director Brady Corbet’s film The Brutalist, an Oscar-nominated architecture epic. Corbet employed the Ukraine-based company Respeecher to refine the Hungarian accents of actors Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones. His stated goal was to achieve something ‘completely authentic,’ though it involved integrating the voice of the film’s editor, Dávid Jánsco, to create flawless vowel sounds. This approach, however, resulted in a version of Hungarian that was technically perfect but arguably less human, as the final product never came from a true, unadulterated human performance.

The trend toward AI-driven ‘perfection’ raises ethical questions about the role of human actors and the very definition of authenticity in cinema.

This pursuit of perfection isn’t limited to accent correction. Respeecher’s technology has also been used to modify other elements in films. The technology was applied to trans actress Karla Sofía Gascón’s singing voice in Emilia Pérez. Artificial Intelligence was also employed to adjust eye color in Dune: Part Two and to blend the face of Anya Taylor-Joy with that of an actress playing a younger version of her in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Additionally, Robert Zemeckis’s Here used a ‘youth mirror system’ to de-age Tom Hanks and Robin Wright extensively.

While the desire for enhanced realism is understandable, the use of AI in documentaries to re-create the speech of deceased individuals has sparked significant controversy. The 2021 documentary Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain faced criticism for employing an AI-generated version of the late chef’s voice, with many fans describing the practice as ‘ghoulish.’

![Dune: Part Two Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures

AI’s ability to resurrect the voices of the dead or de-age actors raises fundamental questions about the art of filmmaking.

The practice of using AI to ‘de-age’ actors is another concerning trend. This involves using AI to scan an actor’s previous films to create a younger version of them, essentially ‘dialing back time’ and overwriting reality. This approach, as seen with Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Mark Hamill’s voice in The Mandalorian, raises questions about the value of an actor’s present self and the creative process.

![Here Photo: Sony Pictures

AI de-aging technology in use.

Nicolas Cage has been an outspoken critic of Hollywood’s increasing reliance on AI, emphasizing the importance of human performance. He’s expressed concern about the potential for AI to manipulate actors’ faces, voices, and performances after filming is complete, fearing that it could erode the integrity, purity, and truth of art.

In conclusion, while AI offers innovative tools for filmmakers, the industry must carefully consider the potential consequences of prioritizing ‘perfection’ over the unique and often imperfect nature of human performance. The conversation about the balance between technological advancements and artistic integrity will continue as AI’s capabilities evolve.