Google and A24 Team Up in $75 Million AI Deal That Could Change the Future of Movies

Google is making a major move into Hollywood by investing around $75 million in independent film studio A24 as part of a new artificial intelligence partnership. The deal brings together one of the biggest names in technology with one of the most respected modern movie studios, with both companies hoping to create new AI tools for filmmakers.

According to people familiar with the agreement, the investment marks the first time Google has taken a financial stake in a film studio. While Google has already built a huge presence in entertainment through YouTube, this partnership with A24 represents a new step into traditional film production.

The collaboration will focus on developing artificial intelligence tools that could help with different parts of making and distributing movies. Google’s DeepMind AI division and A24 are expected to explore ways technology can support filmmakers while keeping creative decisions in human hands.

The partnership comes at a time when Hollywood is still debating how AI should be used. Many filmmakers have raised concerns about AI-generated content, copyright issues, and the possibility of technology replacing creative workers. Several major studios have taken legal action against AI companies, claiming their work has been used without permission to train new systems.

However, A24 believes AI can be used in a different way. Scott Belsky, an A24 partner who leads the company’s technology and innovation efforts, said the goal is not to replace artists or make movies simply faster and cheaper.

“We think there are better uses that preserve creative control and support risk-taking,” Belsky said. He added that the tools they are working on “won’t look anything like the prompted generation type of AI that people feel uncomfortable with.”

The partnership between A24 and Google will not give DeepMind access to A24’s movie and television library. Instead, both companies want to work with filmmakers and artists to develop technology that can become part of the creative process.

Eli Collins, a vice president of product at DeepMind, said the company believes innovation happens when technology is placed in the hands of talented creators.

“We believe breakthroughs happen when you get technology into the hands of the best minds in the field,” Collins said.

A24 has already started experimenting with AI through its own technology team, known as A24 Labs. One project currently being developed is an AI-powered tool for creating storyboards, which are early visual plans that help filmmakers organize scenes before filming begins.

The investment comes as A24 continues to grow beyond its reputation as an independent movie company. The studio has become one of the few brands in Hollywood that can attract audiences simply because of its name. Recent successful releases, including “Backrooms” and “Marty Supreme,” have helped strengthen its position in the entertainment industry.

The company was previously valued at around $3.5 billion after a 2024 funding round led by Thrive Capital. Google’s investment is reportedly similar in size to that earlier deal.

Still, working with Google could be a risky move for A24. The studio built much of its identity by supporting unique filmmakers and attracting younger audiences, many of whom have been skeptical about large technology companies and the role of AI in creativity.

Despite those concerns, A24 appears focused on expanding its reach. The studio has been exploring international growth and has already opened an office in the United Kingdom. It is also working on its biggest film project yet, a roughly $175 million adaptation of the video game “Elden Ring,” directed by Alex Garland.

With this new partnership, Google and A24 are betting that artificial intelligence can become a tool for filmmakers rather than a replacement for them. The success of that idea could shape how movies are made in the years ahead.

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