Tim Burton is a Hollywood legend. A multi-talented filmmaker, artist, and animator, Burton is credited for pioneering gothic culture in Hollywood. Not only has he directed and made multiple cult classics and iconic movies, but his style is the most distinct and unique thanks to the elements of art, expressionism, and gothic culture.
Recently, Buzzfeed published an article about reimagining Disney classics if they had been made by Burton. This later caused him to remark about this imminent threat to Hollywood, which seemed to echo Guillermo del Toro’s sentiments when he spoke about the threat of AI in his speech at the Toronto Film Festival.
Tim Burton Speaks About AI And Its Threat To Hollywood
The SAG-AFTRA strike has been going on for a while now and one of its major causes is the use of Artificial Intelligence and similar technologies in Hollywood and the world of entertainment. It is not a new issue and has been going on for ages now. While many celebrities and personalities have spoken against it like the God of Cinema Guillermo del Toro, many even continue to vouch for its importance and usefulness in the entertainment world.
Even Buzzfeed recently reimagined Disney characters had they been created by the Edward Scissorhands’ director and Tim Burton did not like it a bit. In his recent interview with The Independent, the filmmaker let his true feelings about the subject known.
“They had AI do my versions of Disney characters! I can’t describe the feeling it gives you. It reminded me of when other cultures say, ‘Don’t take my picture because it is taking away your soul.’”
While he did acknowledge that certain pieces were really impressive, he did not like it a bit to have his ‘artistry’ replicated.
“What it does is it sucks something from you. It takes something from your soul or psyche; that is very disturbing, especially if it has to do with you. It’s like a robot taking your humanity, your soul.”
Very similar sentiments were expressed by the Mexican Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and Burton’s thoughts seemed to be spoken in a similar vein.
What Guillermo del Toro Said About Artificial Intelligence
When giving his opening address at the Toronto Film Festival just a few days ago, the Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro had some strong words to say about those who use and demand AI in the world of entertainment. He stated (as per The Hollywood Reporter),
“People ask if I’m worried about artificial intelligence, I say I’m worried about natural stupidity. It’s just a tool, right? If anyone wants movies made by AI, let them get it immediately. I don’t care about people who want to be fulfilled and get something sh*tty, quickly. Otherwise, why not buy a printer, print the Mona Lisa and say you made it.”
While most agreed with his words, many fans even took offense to his sentiments. But at the end of the day, the threat of AI looms upon the world of entertainment, and as far as opinions about the matter go, to each his own.
Source: The Independent, The Hollywood Reporter, and Buzzfeed
