Martin Scorsese has left some fans stunned by revealing he is embracing artificial intelligence and even using it to help plan his new film. The 83-year-old Hollywood legend, known for directing iconic films such as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The Irishman, has put his weight behind a company called Black Forest Labs. He will serve as an advisor to help shape their image-generation system, named FLUX. The company announced the news on their website alongside a lengthy statement from Scorsese.
Scorsese on AI and Storytelling
Scorsese said: "For 70 years, I've been creating my own storyboards. There's always been this problem of how do you communicate what you see in your head to your cast and crew. There are some things you have to see and feel. I'm interested in the intersection of technology and storytelling, and seeing how that can push the bounds of creativity to create deeper and richer experiences for audiences."
He made it clear that AI will not replace his actors or talent, but rather assist during the pre-production stage. Despite being a veteran of Hollywood, he insisted this is not the first time he has looked to try new innovations when making movies.
Previous Innovations and Future Plans
Scorsese added: "Remember, cinema is a young medium, only around 125 years old, so we have to be open to how it can evolve. I utilized 3D with Hugo and de-aging technology for The Irishman. Now, with this tool, I can share what I'm visualizing more clearly and efficiently to my creative team - the production designer, art designer, and cinematographer - for them to build on to enrich cinematic intelligence."
He tested the technology on a scene and found it "creatively freeing," allowing faster pre-production without sacrificing quality or craft. The AI technology is likely to be used on his latest movie, an adaptation of the novel What Happens at Night, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence.
Contrast with Other Stars
Scorsese's stance is at odds with other stars who have criticized or been more cautious about the use of AI in movies. When an 'AI Actor' named Tilly Norwood was created last year, A-list stars like Emily Blunt, Natasha Lyonne, and Whoopi Goldberg condemned the creation. Blunt called it "terrifying" on a podcast with Variety.
However, speaking at the Cannes film festival this year, Demi Moore urged Hollywood to work with AI, saying: "I always feel 'againstness' breeds 'againstness.' AI is here."
