The use of AI in the filmmaking industry has continued to cause all sorts of controversy and intense discussion online. Some proponents feel that AI technology opens the door to exciting new possibilities for aspiring filmmakers, whereas others believe it will put thousands of industry workers out of jobs. There have also been plenty of instances where newer film or television projects have been revealed as using AI, leading to protests against the projects or creatives justifying the minimal use of AI, such as in the major Awards contender The Brutalist. Now, one actor best known for his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has shared his thoughts.
Simu Liu, who plays Shang-Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, took to social media to respond to an article written by Variety that featured controversial comments from another actor, Kevin O’Leary. In the article, the actor (who stars in Josh Safdie’s upcoming A24 film Marty Supreme) said that AI should be used to replace extras in movies. O’Leary’s argument is that because they are not “main actors,” it would save a film production “millions of dollars. By his logic, this money can then be used to make more movies.
It’s these comments that lead Liu to make the following reply on X, saying, “Sure, blame the extras making 15–22 dollars an hour struggling to make a living and not above the line people making multiple millions.” The MCU actor makes an excellent point of his own, as extras are already considered to be paid a lot less than the millions of dollars that the aforementioned “main cast” of a movie makes. That wouldn’t be all the actor had to say on the matter either, as he would debate with other users who either supported Leary’s statements or wanted more explanation from Liu.
Simu Liu’s Experiences in Hollywood Reflect His Stance on AI
Another user on X asked if Liu had a solution to the problem of AI displacing jobs, and Liu would reply, bringing up “techno-feudalism” and his belief that tech breakthroughs overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy and leave “ordinary people” (like those who play extras in movies) in the dust. It’s unsurprising that Liu would be so passionate about this, as before his breakthrough as Shang-Chi, the actor experienced his own hardships in the film industry. One other user on X would ask Liu if being an extra was just a “side gig,” withLiu responding:
“A lot of background performers use it as their primary income source while auditioning or pursuing other side hustles. I did it for a long time. Some people I worked with had been doing it for decades. It’s hard work, and often totally thankless.”
It’s admirable to see Liu take a stand for lesser-paid workers in Hollywood, and voice his disdain for the idea that AI could just replace them. With the actor set to star in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film and, hopefully, a Shang-Chi sequel down the line, Liu will have more of an opportunity to voice his concerns about AI.
Release Date
September 3, 2021
Runtime
132 minutes
Director
Destin Daniel Cretton
Writers
Dave Callaham
Producers
Charles Newirth, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso
Franchise(s)
Marvel Cinematic Universe
