Kevin O’Leary, the investor and “Shark Tank” host making his acting debut in A24’s “Marty Supreme,” has suggested that replacing background actors with AI-generated stand-ins could “save millions of dollars” on film productions. Speaking on The Hill’s “World of Travel: The Podcast” on October 16, O’Leary used his own upcoming Timothée Chalamet film as an example of where the technology could be implemented.
“Almost every scene had as many as 150 extras,” O’Leary said, noting that these performers require lengthy hours and full wardrobe despite often being barely visible on screen. “It costs millions of dollars to do that. Why couldn’t you simply put AI agents in their place?… You could save millions of dollars, so more movies could be made.”
He referenced Tilly Norwood, an AI “actress” unveiled at the Zurich Summit in September, though he misnamed her “Tilly Norwell.” SAG-AFTRA has condemned the concept, saying it is “jeopardizing performer livelihoods and devaluing human artistry.” O’Leary also mentioned The Velvet Sundown, an AI music project he called “Velvet Sunset,” describing it as a top-downloading act that “doesn’t exist.”
“Marty Supreme,” which carries a production budget above $60 million and is A24’s most expensive film to date, is a 1950s period piece starring Chalamet as a ping-pong prodigy. Gwyneth Paltrow plays his love interest, with O’Leary portraying her husband. The film is scheduled for a Christmas Day release.
O’Leary argued that AI is “coming” and cannot be stopped. He also revealed he is developing an AI version of himself in Abu Dhabi, and is pursuing full citizenship in the United Arab Emirates as the industry expands there.
