George Clooney on AI actors took center stage during his recent remarks at the Los Angeles premiere of Jay Kelly, where he voiced serious misgivings about artificial intelligence’s growing influence in Hollywood. Clooney emphasized that while AI technology is advancing rapidly, capturing the spark that creates real stardom remains an elusive challenge.
Clooney’s strong reaction to rapid AI advancements
Appearing at the Egyptian Theatre, Clooney addressed the shock many in Hollywood felt toward the latest developments in AI, particularly improvements made by Sora 2 technology. He remarked on the industry’s shaken confidence following these technological breakthroughs.
“The thing that really rattled Hollywood in general was the Sora 2 stuff. That shook everybody because suddenly the quality was much better and it’s scary,”
Clooney said. – George Clooney, Actor
He went on to discuss the unique difficulties Hollywood faces in creating stars, stressing a point that even advanced technology cannot resolve:
“But you know, AI is gonna have the same problem that we have in Hollywood, which is making a star is not so easy. You can’t really describe what makes someone a star, and it’s not looks. It’s something unusual and it’s hard to detect. They’ll have the same problems that we have.”
– George Clooney, Actor
This insight underlines a central challenge for AI in the film industry. While facial features and voice can be digitally constructed, the special quality that turns an actor into a lasting figure is intangible and difficult to replicate with algorithms.
The dangers and complexities of AI-generated personas
Clooney shared his personal discomfort with seeing AI versions of himself created and shared online. These imitations have sometimes placed him in fabricated situations or words, raising broader concerns about identity misuse and the risks for those in the public eye.
“There’s been some really actually awful ones where they’ve done and said things that I’ve never done and said and put me out there and it’s dangerous,”
he said. – George Clooney, Actor
“It’s dangerous for your family. It’s dangerous. It’s complicated, but the genie is out of the bottle and I’m not quite sure what we’re gonna do.”
– George Clooney, Actor
Hollywood’s increasing reliance on AI-driven production tools makes these concerns timely. Clooney’s experience echoes fears among entertainers and industry insiders about the blurring of reality and digital fabrication, affecting human reputations and family lives.
Industry pushes forward with AI integration
As discussions around AI deepen, creators like Eline Van der Velden stand at the forefront, blending technology with storytelling. Known for her work with the AI character Tilly Norwood, Van der Velden is already partnering with studios on AI-generated cinematic components. She predicts a future where entirely AI-made films could become standard, as technology continues its rapid evolution.
“I’m sure in the coming year, there’ll be plenty of effects that will be made with AI,”
Van der Velden said. – Eline Van der Velden, Creator
“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.”
– Eline Van der Velden, Creator
Tilly Norwood, Van der Velden’s digital creation, even attracted the interest of talent agencies, a development that stirred discussion around the definition of talent and creativity in entertainment.
“As a creative, I have really enjoyed creating her,”
she explained. – Eline Van der Velden, Creator
“It’s been just like a writer creating characters. You fall in love with your characters when you’re writing them. It’s a wonderful process. It wasn’t like I just made her in a second, and that was it. You know, it took a long time.”
– Eline Van der Velden, Creator
The uncertain future of stardom in an AI-driven industry
As AI continues to reshape how movies are made and how audiences consume entertainment, Clooney’s cautionary stance serves as a reminder of the irreplaceable qualities humans bring to performance. While companies like those behind Sora 2 strive for more lifelike digital actors, and creators such as Eline Van der Velden experiment with new forms of storytelling, the mystery of true stardom seems beyond the reach of current technology. The coming years will test whether the essence of stardom is something only humans can supply or whether audiences will embrace convincing digital substitutes.
