Disney Backed Away From Using AI For Live-Action 'Moana'
Image Source: CNN
Disney tossed their plans to use AI in the live-action Moana. The idea was for Dwayne Johnson’s cousin, Tanoi Reed, to serve as a body double, with Johnson’s face digitally imposed over him using AI. Both Disney and Johnson were on board with this plan until Disney started looking at the legal issues. If they used the AI, they might not have full ownership over the movie. So after eighteen months of negotiations, Disney cancelled their contract with the AI company Metaphysics. Disney also had plans to have an AI-generated sidekick in Tron: Ares, but scrapped that idea too.
A big complaint of the live-action films, especially The Lion King and Snow White, is the noticeable lack of live actors on screen, with a clear preference for CGI. Now it seems that AI has become the new CGI. Back in 2023, both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA went on strike with a particular emphasis on how the rise and use of AI threatens the livelihood of writers and performers. Disney avoided it this time, but from a purely practical ownership standby. When all those legal issues are sorted out and companies figure out how to retain ownership with the new tech, AI will likely return in full force. Then, it will be up to the studios, the tech companies, and the creatives to navigate the industry in this new field.
READ NEXT:
Latest News
Featured
