Hugh Grant’s new film The Heretic features an unexpected announcement about artificial intelligence during the final credits.
Variety reported that there is a message saying, “No generative AI was used in the production of this film.”
The film’s directors, Scott Beck and Brian Woods, expressed their thoughts on the technology in comments to the media.
“I have no illusions that people who watch ‘Heretic’ will think, ‘Wait, they used generative AI?'” Woods said. “I don’t feel that way at all, but I think it’s something that people need to start talking about, so it was important for us to get it out there.”
What is artificial intelligence (AI)?
The end credits of director Hugh Grant’s new film The Heretic include a note that says, “No generative AI was used in the making of this film.” (Kimberly French/A24)
“The Heretic” is not a movie with heavy special effects. The film focuses on a series of dangerous trials of faith in which Grant’s mysterious character traps two young Mormon missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) in his home.
Woods added that generative AI is “an algorithm that jumbles together a lot of information and spits it out as art. It’s not human, and on some level it borders on theft.”
Director Scott Beck (left), director Brian Woods (right), and Chloe East, who stars in “Heretic.” Woods said it was important to include a note about the lack of AI because the filmmakers have a shared aversion to technology. (Kimberly French/A24)
“I think the idea is that an algorithm can scrape all of human history and art off the internet, repackage it, regurgitate it, regurgitate it, and someone else can use it to make a profit…Why is that legal? I don’t know if it is.
“It’s important that people start talking about the need for human interaction in the arts, in business, and in every aspect of this life, because we stand on the brink of every job on the planet being replaced overnight. It will happen very quickly, and in the field of art, decisions are made not for the benefit of the artistic process, but for the bottom line. is.”
“It’s amazing that we were able to develop that technology. Now let’s bury it underground with a nuclear warhead, because it might kill us all.”
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Woods had a final comment on AI, calling it an “amazing technology.”
“Beautiful things are going to come out of that. And it’s amazing. What’s being made with generative AI and video… it’s amazing that we were able to create that technology. Come on. , bury it underground with a nuclear warhead, because it might kill us all.”
Woods concluded that AI is an “amazing technology” but should be shut down immediately “because it has the potential to kill us all.” (Rachel Murray/Getty Images, Paramount Pictures)
Beck, his co-director, told Variety that he was happy that A24 allowed him to include the note in the credits.
“As far as we know, they’re doing just fine,” he said, adding that the studio is “incredibly artist-friendly.”
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“We’re in a time where, from a creative standpoint, we feel like we’re participating in one of the great ethical battles, and that race is already ahead of us,” Beck added.
“The key is to have these conversations before forcing things just because it makes sense in the structure of the company. This is very dangerous. The situation will get worse later.” It’s a very dangerous situation. ”
Generative AI has already been used in several films this year, sparking controversy in Hollywood and among fans.
Earlier this year, some moviegoers threatened to boycott the horror film Late Night with the Devil, which featured several AI-generated cutout graphics in its fictional talk show. The film’s screenwriters and directors, Colin and Cameron Cairns, defended it.
Mr. Beck, second from the right, said of AI, “If there’s no one to keep it in check, we’re going to find ourselves in a very dangerous situation in five to 10 years.” (Anna Weber/Getty Images, AFI)
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In a statement to Variety, they said, “We collaborated with an incredible graphics and production design team who worked tirelessly to give this film the ’70s aesthetic we had always imagined. We experimented with AI on still images that were further edited and ultimately displayed as very short interstitials within the film.
“If there’s no one to keep it in check, we’re going to end up in a very dangerous situation in five to 10 years.”
“We feel incredibly lucky to have such a talented and passionate cast, crew and production team who have gone above and beyond to bring this film to life. , I can’t wait for everyone to see it for themselves.”
The movie “Civil War,” also produced by A24, the same studio that produced “Heretic,” was criticized online for a promotional image that appeared to be AI-generated and shared on the film’s social media pages earlier this year. He was severely criticized at home.
Civil War, starring Kirsten Dunst, faced backlash for allegedly using AI images in online marketing. (Amy Sussman/WireImage)
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The photo depicts a scene that didn’t appear in the movie, has inaccurate landmarks, shows a car with three doors on one side, and other common traits found in AI-generated images. Certain details were also included. In one image, Chicago’s Marina Tower was on the other side of the river.
Fox News Digital reached out to A24 for comment when the image was first posted, but the studio did not respond.
