George Lucas, the legendary director behind Star Wars, has voiced strong support for the use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking.
In an interview with A Rabbit's Foot, the 82-year-old filmmaker described AI as a tool that simplifies movie production.
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Lucas compared critics of AI to historical figures who opposed automobiles in favor of horse-drawn carriages.
"Artificial intelligence means it's much easier for us to make movies," he said.
He added, "Very much like sitting here saying, 'Well, I believe the horse and the buggy is really where it's at.
These cars, they break down, they need gas... It's terrible.'"
The director emphasized that adopting AI is an unavoidable progression for the entertainment industry. "There's nothing you can do about it.
That's progress, it's the future," he stated.
Lucas is not alone in embracing this technology.
British director Gareth Edwards, known for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Jurassic World Rebirth, also praised generative AI, calling it "a fucking genius at helping you."
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However, not everyone in Hollywood shares this enthusiasm.
Christopher Nolan, director of The Odyssey, noted that while financial institutions have adopted AI, the public has largely rejected it.
"Young people in particular, they coined this term 'AI slop'... There's a sort of disdain for things AI," he said.
Steven Soderbergh, who used AI in his documentary John Lennon: The Last Interview, took a more neutral stance.
"I don't think it's the solution to everything, and I don't think it's the death of everything. We're in the very early stages," he remarked.
Lucas Criticizes Focus Groups in Hollywood
Beyond AI, Lucas shared his thoughts on audience testing and focus groups. He argued that viewers do not know what they want, and studios often misinterpret feedback.
"I don't like focus groups," Lucas said. "The audience doesn't know what they want to see.
If they don't like a character, that's interesting... But when the studios hear that, they take the wrong message.
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They let the audience actually make the movie."
