Lionsgate Boss Says Studio Can Use AI to Adjust a Movie’s Rating and Create Kid-Friendly Cuts: ‘Do It Anime, Make It PG-13. Three Hours Later, I’ll Have the Movie’

by

Lionsgate revealed in September that they entered into an agreement with the AI company, Runway. This partnership enables filmmakers to experiment with “enhancing” their projects using artificial intelligence, thereby aiding Lionsgate in improving and expanding their production processes. This was reported as Runway’s first collaboration with a Hollywood studio. In other words, how will Lionsgate utilize AI? Michael Burns, the Vice Chairman, shared with New York Magazine that they are exploring various possibilities to determine what works best when it comes to artificial intelligence.

According to Burns, the primary goal of the Runway deal was to enable filmmakers to produce movies and TV shows that would not have been created otherwise due to financial constraints. If we can reduce production costs from $100 million to $50 million using AI technology, we’re willing to give it a shot. We’re exploring the boundaries of what’s achievable. Let’s experiment with new ideas and see what works.

According to New York Magazine, Lionsgate could leverage Runway to rework their extensive library of content. This would involve altering the tone, format, and rating to create a more kid-friendly version, or transforming live-action films into animated ones for resale.

The studio could employ AI to transform one of their popular action series (such as “John Wick” or “Hunger Games”) into an anime version with a PG-13 rating. In just three hours, they could theoretically produce the movie. However, it’s important to note that the executive would still need to compensate the actors and all other rights holders. This process would allow them to subsequently market and sell the film.

Imagine I’m a film studio, debating whether to produce a particular movie. There’s a key scene involving thousands of soldiers on a hillside amidst a snowstorm, which would require a costly and time-consuming shoot with real horses. But thanks to advanced AI technology like Runaway’s, we can create that shot for just $10,000 instead! This not only saves us millions but also allows us to focus on other aspects of the film, ensuring a high-quality production overall. As a movie enthusiast, I appreciate such innovative solutions that keep great stories coming without breaking the bank.

According to New York Magazine, there was doubt that the movie would even be produced, but the calculations seemed to add up.

Initially, when the agreement was made public, Burns emphasized that numerous filmmakers the studio collaborates with were already enthused about how it could be utilized in their pre-production and post-production phases.

Located in New York City, Runway has garnered a total investment of $237 million from backers such as Google, Nvidia, and Salesforce Ventures. This firm claims that their ongoing artificial intelligence research is instrumental in shaping the upcoming epoch of art, entertainment, and human ingenuity.

Read More

2025-06-04 18:46