The use of Artificial Intelligence (or AI) in Hollywood is a hot-button issue. Most filmmakers have come out firmly against the new technology, citing concerns over it being derivative and based on plagiarism. DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has been one of the more vocal critics of AI, making his opinions emphatically known in response to a fake AI-generated trailer for the upcoming Superman movie.
The trailer in question was streamed during a news segment on French state television channel France 2. The segment was discussing Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, but ended with what was reported as a trailer for the upcoming Superman movie directed by James Gunn. This drew widespread mockery online by those who immediately recognized the trailer as an AI-generated forgery.
James Gunn shared the clip in a post on X, which can be viewed below. He had no words to add, but still gave an emotive response. Specifically, he replied with three vomit emojis, indicating his disgust.
In a later post, someone apparently involved in creating the fake video responded. They said they had hoped that James Gunn would never see the trailer. Gunn responded, with withering wit, “I wish this as well.”
James Gunn affirms disdain for AI
This is not the first time James Gunn has expressed a negative opinion about AI in the arts. In March, Gunn shared an AI-generated image on Theads, which claimed to be the first exclusive photo of David Corenswet in his Superman costume. Gunn critiqued the image, sarcastically pointing out precisely why it was an obvious fake. He later lambasted the use of such technology in his follow-up comments.
While James Gunn is more humorous than most in expressing his opinions, he is not alone in them. Many creators view the use of AI in film and television production as a threat to creative expression and an attack on art itself. This is due to the software’s dependence on existing art to function and many AI being built on stolen content. While the issue is unlikely to be solved anytime soon, DC Studios will continue to avoid using AI-generated content with Gunn in charge.
