James Cameron Blasts Generative AI for Being Able to “Make Up an Actor”: “That’s Horrifying to Me”

James Cameron is making it clear that he does not support the idea of AI-created actors. In a recent interview on CBS’ Sunday Morning, the filmmaker talked about how people once believed he wanted to replace actors with digital versions when he was working on the first Avatar film back in 2005. He said those rumors missed the point of what he was trying to do.

Cameron explained that people in Hollywood used to think he was trying something unusual with computer graphics. But he said the work on Avatar was always about helping real actors bring characters to life.

He said, “For years, there was this sense that, ‘Oh, they’re doing something strange with computers and they’re replacing actors,’ when in fact… it’s a celebration of the actor-director moment.”

Now, with generative AI quickly spreading through the industry, Cameron said the situation feels much more serious. He said the idea that AI could fully replace a human being on screen is something he finds deeply troubling. He said, “They can make up a character. They can make up an actor. They can make up a performance from scratch with a text prompt… That’s horrifying to me.”

The discussion around AI acting has been heating up since September, when comedian and producer Eline Van der Velden introduced Tilly Norwood, an AI-created performer, at the Zurich Summit. She said several talent agencies were already interested. The reveal led to immediate criticism across Hollywood.

Speaking to Variety, Van der Velden said that even with the backlash, she believes AI will become a bigger part of film production in the coming years. She said, “I think it will be a slow progression… I’m sure in the coming year, there’ll be plenty of effects that will be made with AI.” She also said she thinks audiences may not notice if a movie is made with AI as long as the story works.

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