Russo Brothers Defend AI Use in 'The Electric State', Sparking Hollywood Debate

The Russo brothers defend use of AI in The Electric State: "There's a lot of finger-pointing and hyperbole because people are afraid"

The Russo brothers have opened up about using AI in their latest movie The Electric State, which is set in the aftermath of a war between robots and humanity. The directing duo used it for voice modulation in the movie and say it's being widely used in Hollywood. Speaking to The Times, Joe Russo says the use of it is "something any ten-year-old could do after watching a TikTok video". He added: "There's a lot of finger-pointing and hyperbole because people are afraid. They don't understand. But ultimately you'll see AI used more significantly." The Avengers: Endgame director went on to explain: "Also, AI is in its generative state now, where it has, as we call them, hallucinations. You can't do mission-critical work with something that hallucinates. That is a reason self-driving cars haven't taken over, or why AI surgery is not taking place worldwide. But in its generative state, AI is best suited towards creativity." This isn't the first time that the Russo brothers have opened up with their stance on AI use in moviemaking. Joe Russo said at the Sands International Film Festival back in early 2023 that he believes it will shape the future of storytelling. Revealing he thinks it could end up creating entire movies, he said there's "a real possibility now for technology to become a really important factor in our lives".

The Russo brothers admit to using AI in The Electric State

While AI and Hollywood seem largely like opposing forces right now. Many directors and stars are reluctant to embrace technology that is being told it can do their job for them, but the Russo brothers are stepping away from the pack, making use of AI in their latest movie The Electric State. Speaking to The Times, the directing duo were open to discussing that they'd used AI to modulate voices for the movie, saying what they did could be done by "any ten-year-old could do after watching a TikTok video." "There's a lot of finger-pointing and hyperbole because people are afraid," Joe Russo continued. "They don't understand. But ultimately you'll see AI used more significantly. Also, AI is in its generative state now, where it has, as we call them, hallucinations. You can't do mission-critical work with something that hallucinates. That is a reason self-driving cars haven't taken over, or why AI surgery is not taking place worldwide. But in its generative state, AI is best suited towards creativity." Despite the Russos largely being okay with the use of AI and mixing it with filmmaking, this isn't likely to convince the rest of Hollywood that the technology is their friend. This isn't the first time we've heard of a major movie using AI, and it likely won't be the last.

Avengers Director Joe Russo Says AI Was Used for Voice Modulation in Netflix Film The Electric State, Insists 'AI Is Best Suited Towards Creativity'

There's no denying the Russo Brothers' new Netflix film The Electric State has been the talk of the town since it debuted on Friday -- and with the industry's climate the way it is, fans have certainly been discussing its use of AI. That said, Joe Russo, who alongside his brother Anthony directed Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, has defended the use of AI for voice modulation in The Electric State, claiming it was "something any 10-year-old could do after watching a TikTok video." "There's a lot of finger-pointing and hyperbole because people are afraid," Joe Russo insisted in an interview with The Times. "They don't understand. But ultimately you'll see AI used more significantly." The filmmaker added that he sees potential in the technology. "Also, AI is in its generative state now, where it has, as we call them, hallucinations. You can't do mission-critical work with something that hallucinates," Russo said. "That is a reason self-driving cars haven't taken over, or why AI surgery is not taking place worldwide. But in its generative state, AI is best suited towards creativity." While many artists across a whole host of disciplines feel AI is actually the antithesis of creativity, it seems as though some of the studios are excited to use the tech when it's ready to be implemented. Back in July 2024, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos claimed that audiences "don't care" if AI is used in the film and television programming they watch. Sarandos doubled down and asserted that the tech is "a great way for creators to tell better stories." "Animation didn't get cheaper, it got better in the move from hand-drawn to CG animation, and more people work in animation today than ever in history," Sarandos said on the call. "So I'm pretty sure there's a better business and a bigger business in making content 10% better than there is in making it 50% cheaper." For what it's worth, not everyone seems to be embracing AI right off the bat. Last month, Marvel denied using AI to create teaser posters for the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps, despite one of the people in the imagery sporting a four-fingered hand. The Electric State was directed and produced by Anthony and Joe Russo from a script by Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus, which was loosely adapted from a 2018 illustrated novel by Simon Stalenhag. The movie stars Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Woody Harrelson, Jason Alexander, Anthony Mackie, Jenny Slate, Giancarlo Esposito, Brian Cox, and Stanley Tucci. IGN's The Electric State review returned a 4/10. We said: "Marvel's biggest hitmakers join forces again with the Netflix algorithm to deliver The Electric State, a $300-million anti-event movie." The Russo Brothers are down to direct the next two Avengers movies for Marvel Studios: 2026's Avengers: Doomsday and 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars.