Libatique: AI Could Handle Marvel VFX, but Not Replace Cinema
The cinematographer, speaking at Evolution Mallorca, said he and Darren Aronofsky will test AI before shooting their next film together.
Cinematographer Matthew Libatique said artificial intelligence could take over the visual effects work Marvel does, but it will not replace cinema or AI actors, according to Variety. He spoke at Evolution Mallorca, where he received the festival's Cinematography Icon Award.
Libatique said Marvel spends so much money making its films that he understands why the studio would turn to AI to curb visual effects costs. He added that he does not expect Marvel ever to use AI actors.
The cinematographer said he has already used AI in post-production, including to correct glare. He also said that he and director Darren Aronofsky will run a test with AI soon, ahead of shooting their next film together.
That next Aronofsky film, he said, will still be made like a movie on set with human direction. Libatique cited Zack Snyder's 300, released in 2006 and shot almost entirely against green screens, as an early all-digital production.
He also named Sentimental Value as an example of a film that would not be made with AI. Aronofsky launched his AI studio Primordial Soup last year in collaboration with Google DeepMind.
Quick answers
What did Matthew Libatique say about AI and Marvel?
He said AI could replace the visual effects work Marvel does but not cinema itself, and that he does not think Marvel will ever use AI actors.
Will Darren Aronofsky's next film use AI?
Libatique said the two will run a test with AI before shooting, but the film will still be made on set with human direction.