Avatar director James Cameron finds concept of AI-generated actors 'horrifying'

In an interview with CBS News, Cameron warned that technology capable of producing characters and performances entirely from text prompts undermines the essence of filmmaking.

“At the other end of the spectrum, you’ve got generative AI, where they can make up a character, they can make up an actor, they can make up a performance from scratch. That’s horrifying to me. That’s exactly what we’re not doing,” Cameron said.

His remarks come amid growing debate in Hollywood over AI performers.

In September, comedian Eline Van der Velden introduced an AI character, Tilly Norwood, at the Zurich Summit, drawing backlash from industry figures.

Speaking to Variety, Van der Velden said: “I think it will be a slow progression."

She said. “I’m sure in the coming year, there’ll be plenty of effects that will be made with AI. There’ll be some establishing shots, there’ll be some second-unit shots with AI, and then slowly, we’ll progress to a full AI film. And whether people will pay for an AI film or not — I don’t think they’ll know the difference. It’s good storytelling that will be the reason why people will pay for it or not.”

Cameron’s comments arrive ahead of the release of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the next entry in his blockbuster franchise, scheduled to open on December 19.

The film follows Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and marks the third instalment in the series.

Two further sequels, Avatar 4 and Avatar 5, are currently in production and slated for release in 2029 and 2031, respectively.