The robots are coming.
Logline
Nicolas Cage has voiced his concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on Hollywood, questioning the future of artists’ legacies.
Breakdown
Nicolas Cage’s apprehension about AI reflects broader industry concerns. During an interview, Cage shared his unease about the digitalization process he undergoes for projects, expressing fears over AI’s potential misuse of his likeness posthumously.
Plot Beats
- Cage’s publicist interrupted the interview to remind him of his scheduled scans for an upcoming Spider-Man Noir series and a movie. He remarked, “I have to slip out after this to go get a scan done for the show, and then also for the movie I’m doing after the show. Two scans in one day!”
- He humorously commented on the digitalization process, saying, “Well, they have to put me in a computer and match my eye color and change—I don’t know. They’re just going to steal my body and do whatever they want with it via digital A.I. . . . God, I hope not A.I. I’m terrified of that. I’ve been very vocal about it.”
- Cage questioned the future of artistic integrity in the age of AI, pondering, “And it makes me wonder, you know, where will the truth of the artists end up? Is it going to be replaced? Is it going to be transmogrified? Where’s the heartbeat going to be? I mean, what are you going to do with my body and my face when I’m dead? I don’t want you to do anything with it!”
Buzz and Highlights
Nicolas Cage’s comments highlight the ongoing debate about AI in Hollywood, especially concerning the preservation and potential exploitation of actors’ likenesses after death. His fears echo a common concern among artists about the authenticity and integrity of their work in a digital future.
Production Notes
Cage’s mention of Pig, a film where he plays a truffle hunter searching for his kidnapped pig, serves as a recommendation for those unfamiliar with his work. The movie, directed by Michael Sarnoski, offers a poignant, quiet contrast to Cage’s often larger-than-life roles. He stated, “It’s something that I think people can get something out of, because tragedy is going to hit all of us at some point. It’s just a matter of when. It’s also a movie that to me is like a folk song. It’s a very quiet, gentle movie, which is the opposite of what we started our conversation with—people thinking I’m crazy.”
Closing Credits
Nicolas Cage’s candid thoughts on AI bring attention to an important conversation about the future of digitalization in the entertainment industry. For more insights from Cage, check out Pig, a film he describes as a gentle, folk song-like experience.
Credits
- Interviewee: Nicolas Cage
- Interviewer: The New Yorker
- Film Mentioned: Pig
- Director: Michael Sarnoski
- Writer: Michael Sarnoski
- Star: Nicolas Cage
