James Cameron Says Blockbuster Movies Can Only Survive If We ‘Cut the Cost in Half’; He’s Exploring How AI Can Help Without ‘Laying Off the Staff’

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On the “Boz to the Future” podcast, James Cameron expressed that the key to future blockbuster movie production lies in reducing VFX costs by about half. The esteemed Oscar winner is exploring ways artificial intelligence could help reduce costs without displacing crew members. In September 2024, Cameron revealed his decision to join the board of directors for Stability AI, a company known for its text-to-image model, Stable Diffusion.

Originally, I would have established a company to tackle the problem. However, I’ve come to realize that might not be the optimal approach. Instead, I decided to join the board of a strong, competitive company with a solid history. My intention was not solely to amass wealth. Rather, my aim was to familiarize myself with the industry, grasp the developers’ perspectives, and learn about their objectives, development processes, and resource requirements for creating innovative models that serve specific purposes. Ultimately, I wanted to incorporate this knowledge into a Visual Effects (VFX) workflow.

He went on to say, “It’s not just a theoretical issue. To keep producing the kind of movies I admire, enjoy making, and would eagerly watch – like ‘Dune,’ ‘Dune: Part Two,’ or any of my films with heavy special effects – we need to find a way to reduce costs by half. This doesn’t mean downsizing the team at the special effects company. Instead, it’s about increasing their speed so they can complete a shot twice as fast. As a result, our pace would quicken, and artists would have more opportunities to work on new, exciting projects. That’s essentially my idea for this.

Cameron has consistently voiced skepticism about AI assuming roles traditionally held by Hollywood workers, emphasizing that AI’s function should primarily assist employees in managing their workload rather than replacing them. In an interview with CTV News last year, the director expressed reservations about AI bots having the ability to craft compelling narratives and potentially displacing screenwriters.

As Cameron suggests, he feels that a non-physical mind merely repeating what other physical minds have expressed – about life, love, deceit, fear, and death – and presenting it as a jumbled mix of words (a word salad), won’t be able to stir an audience. In his view, the writer must possess human qualities to create such work. He is unaware of anyone contemplating having AI write a screenplay.

If an AI ever wins an Oscar for Best Screenplay, which might happen in about 20 years from now, then we should start taking their abilities more seriously,” he remarked back then.

In his recent discussion, Cameron cautioned users against instructing generative AI to mimic specific styles like “in the manner of James Cameron” or “in the vein of Zack Snyder.” He expressed discomfort over such imitations, stating they give him a slight feeling of unease. Previously on social media, there was much excitement about images generated by AI that mirrored the aesthetic of Studio Ghibli productions.

As a cinephile, I strive to emulate the distinctive styles of filmmaking legends like Ridley Scott and Stanley Kubrick. Much like George Miller does with his wide, low-angled shots, fast-paced sequences, culminating in tight close-ups, that’s the kind of filmmaker I aspire to be. I’m well aware of my influences, and they’re a big part of my creative process. After all, everyone has their own unique cinematic heroes.

Cameron continues working behind the scenes on the upcoming “Avatar” sequel titled “Fire & Ash,” slated for a December 19 release by Disney and 20th Century Studios. You can catch his complete conversation on the “Boz to the Future” podcast right here.

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2025-04-10 00:47