Natasha Lyonne to Direct Feature ‘Uncanny Valley’ Combining ‘Ethical’ AI and Traditional Filmmaking Techniques

Artist-led, ethical AI film and animation studio Asteria unveiled its inaugural live-action movie titled “Uncanny Valley.” This groundbreaking production will be a blend of advanced AI technology with conventional filmmaking methods. It’s significant as it also serves as the feature directorial debut for Natasha Lyonne, a co-founder of the studio, who is known for shows like “Poker Face” and “Russian Doll.” Asteria takes pride in its commitment to ethics in AI filmmaking.

In the creative roles of co-creator and co-showrunner alongside Zal Batmanglij for “The OA” and “A Murder at the End of the World,” Brit Marling and Sarah Lyonne have teamed up to write the screenplay and will appear as actors. The story, titled “Uncanny Valley,” is set in a world similar to our own present. It revolves around Mila, a teenager who experiences a blurring of reality when an internationally acclaimed augmented reality video game starts exhibiting erratic and potentially harmful glitches in the real world.

The team consisting of Alia Shawkat, Amy Seimetz, Jaron Lanier (a pioneer in virtual reality), and Marey – a cutting-edge AI model from Moonvalley Studios – will collaborate to develop the interactive video game element within the movie.

Lyonne expressed that the potential of these innovative technologies, when employed ethically and imaginatively, is simply breathtaking,” he said. “To be part of realizing something so daring and adventurous feels extraordinarily expansive and thrilling. I’m deeply appreciative for this chance from Asteria and to experience this transformative period up close.

Marling remarked that science fiction can serve as a potent means of resistance – envisioning possibilities rather than reality. With our team at Asteria, we aim to blaze new trails in utilizing AI, enabling filmmakers to craft imaginative narratives while still maintaining the scope for genuine creativity on financially viable budgets.

In this arrangement, Bryn Mooser (CEO of Asteria) and Justin Lacob will join forces with Batmanglij, Marling, and Lyonne as producers for Asteria’s project. Notably, Lyonne’s company, Animal Pictures, will team up with Asteria for production purposes.

Asteria is also developing alongside Moonvalley a “clean” foundational model aimed at Hollywood.

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2025-04-29 19:22