At a recent Variety and CNN event, actor Matthew McConaughey and Timothee Chalamet spoke about various topics, including Chalamet’s Best Actor Oscar nomination for Marty Supreme and the increasing role of artificial intelligence in cinema. During the conversation, McConaughey addressed the emerging presence of AI in acting roles.
When asked about AI’s impact on the industry, McConaughey stated,
“It’s coming. It’s already here. Don’t deny it. It’s not going to be enough to sit on the sidelines and make the moral plea that, ‘No, this is wrong.’ It’s not gonna last. There’s too much money to be made, and it’s too productive. So I say: Own yourself. Voice, likeness, etcetera. Trademark it. Whatever you gotta do, so when it comes, no one can steal you,”
emphasizing the inevitability of AI’s influence on entertainment.
AI’s Potential Impact on Acting and Awards
McConaughey expanded on the idea that AI could start to replace traditional actors and how this development might shape award categories in the near future. He reflected,
“It’s damn sure going to infiltrate our category. Does it become another category? Will we be, in five years, having ‘the best AI film’? ‘The best AI actor?
He continued,
“I think that might be the thing; it becomes another category. It’s gonna be in front of us in ways that we don’t even see. It’s going to get so good we’re not going to know the difference. That’s one of the big questions right now: the question of reality. It’s more hazy than ever in a very exciting way, I think, but also a scary way. Prepare for it. Own your own lane, so you at least have agency when it starts to trespass.”
McConaughey’s Involvement in AI Voice Technology
Aside from his acting career, Matthew McConaughey is a partner and investor in ElevenLabs, an AI voice technology company. This role underscores his personal interest in the development of AI capabilities in the entertainment sector. Notably, AI-based actors are already emerging, such as the performer known as Tilly Norwood, highlighting how technology is beginning to take a more active role in film production.
Upcoming Projects and Current Appearances
Looking ahead, McConaughey will star in the upcoming project Positano, slated for release in 2027. His most recent appearance was a cameo role in the 2024 film Deadpool and Wolverine. His continued presence in high-profile projects comes alongside his evolving perspective on AI’s role in acting and the broader film industry landscape.
