Hollywood veteran Harrison Ford has never been one to shy away from discussing the realities of filmmaking, whether it involves storytelling, acting, or—most recently—the growing presence of AI. While CGI graphics and advanced technology continue to reshape the entertainment industry—mostly for the worse, it seems—Ford believes AI is not needed, and there is something else out there that can easily “steal my soul”: Hollywood stunt performers.
In a recent conversation with the Wall Street Journal, Ford was asked how he felt about having his likeness replicated in projects such as the new Indiana Jones video game, which puts his face on the character that players control in a new Indy adventure. In his usual style, Ford steered away from specifically answering the question and explained his belief that while technology can put someone’s face on another person’s body or change a voice to match a certain pattern, it cannot replicate the risks and work that real stunt performers go through to create magic on screen.
Ford also pointed out that nobody needs to use AI to take his likeness, because it is already happening…in a good way. “You don’t need artificial intelligence to steal my soul. You can already do it for nickels and dimes with good ideas and talent,” he stated. Addressing the work of actor Troy Baker, who did the heavy lifting in the video game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Ford added, “He did a brilliant job, and it didn’t take AI to do it. There won’t be any need for me. There’s somebody behind me. Doing what I did. And that’s the attraction. It’s what’s coming.”
Ford’s comments tap into the timely conversation about the increased use of AI in Hollywood, both in overt ways and those more sneaky and almost underhanded. Recently, several movies have been called out by eagle-eyed fans online for using AI to generate marketing material. Last week, a new poster for The Fantastic Four: First Steps was accused of using AI to create several characters, with many pointing out tell-tale anomalies in hand configurations and several obvious distortions that accompany AI-generated images.
Of course, all the gratitude in the world from Ford towards those helping his characters continue to thrive on screen will not halt the relentlessly evolving march of AI technology and its applications in modern filmmaking. In the end, AI is capable of extraordinary feats that can accelerate video editing processes, spotting mistakes that could easily be overlooked by a human wading through hundreds of frames. However, employing such technology at the expense of people’s jobs is fueling an ongoing debate that appears far from resolution.
The implications of AI stretch beyond just the immediate realm of practical effects and animation. The viral nature of newly available technologies raises questions about authenticity and artistic integrity. Recent instances feature AI-generated deepfakes of celebrities giving the proverbial middle finger, illustrating how easily one’s identity and likeness can be manipulated. Ford’s perspective clearly illustrates a longing for the human element in film, emphasizing that while technology can enhance creativity, it cannot replace the passion, risk, and artistry inherent in human performance.
As technological progress barrels forward—like Ford’s own version of the dangerous and destructive Red Hulk from his latest movie, Captain America: Brave New World—Ford firmly believes that the heart of filmmaking should always retain a human touch. How much longer that can remain amidst the encroaching waves of technology is a question only time will answer.
