Opinion

Director Says No AI Used in New Film, Sparks Industry Debate

WNWNIAI Newsroom 1 min read(updated 4 June 2026)
Reviewed by the WNIAI Newsroom · Independent Australian AI coverage
Director Says No AI Used in New Film, Sparks Industry Debate — illustrative image

AI is a hot topic in Hollywood, and a recent incident involving director Adam Shankman highlights why.

Shankman, known for popular films like "Hairspray", strongly denied online rumours that his new movie, "Stop! That! Train!", relied on generative AI for its visual effects. Generative AI is fancy software that can create new images, videos or text from scratch.

He pushed back fiercely, stating that hundreds of human visual effects (VFX) artists worked tirelessly on the film. He emphasised that not a single job was replaced by AI, making it clear that human creativity and effort were at the heart of the project.

This denial comes at a time when Hollywood is grappling with how AI could change filmmaking, especially for the teams who create those incredible visual spectacles. Many in the industry, from writers to artists, are worried about their livelihoods and the potential for AI to take over creative roles.

Shankman's strong stance offers a bit of comfort to those concerned about AI's impact on human jobs in creative industries, showing that for some major productions, traditional human artistry is still king. It's a reminder that while AI is advancing rapidly, the value of human skill and dedication remains incredibly high.

Why it matters

This story matters because it touches on a fear many people have: will AI take our jobs? For Aussie small businesses and workers in creative fields, it's a peek into ongoing debates about technology complementing human work, instead of replacing it.

#film industry#ai in art#job security#generative ai#hollywood
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