Peter Jackson Compares AI to Special Effects, Defends Motion-Capture Acting

Speaking at a Cannes Film Festival masterclass the day after he was bestowed an Honorary Palme d'Or, Jackson said that though AI is "going to destroy the world," when it comes to its use in film, "I don't dislike it at all," reported Variety.

"I mean, to me, it's just a special effect, it's no different from other special effects," said Jackson as quoted in Variety.

However, he said that it's "absolutely critical" to protect actors' rights from having their likenesses stolen and used in films without their permission.

"If you're doing an AI duplicate of somebody, like Indiana Jones or anyone else, as long as you've licensed the rights off the person who you're showing, I don't see the issue, it's when people's likenesses get stolen and usurped," added Jackson as quoted by Variety.

But one downside to the current debate around AI in Hollywood is its impact on awards recognition for motion-capture performances, like Serkis' portrayal of Gollum in 'The Lord of the Rings' films.

"A lot of the current environment, everyone's so worried about AI. I don't think a Gollum-type character or a generated character has any hope for winning any awards. Which is a bit unfair, especially in the Andy Serkis case, where it's not an AI-generated performance, it's a human-generated performance 100% of the way," said Jackson.

According to the outlet, Jackson also teased the upcoming 'The Hunt for Gollum' film, which Serkis is directing and starring in. Asked why Jackson decided to let Serkis take the helm, he said: "The film is about Gollum's psychological addiction. I thought, 'Andy knows this guy better than anybody.' So I actually didn't think much of myself [directing the new movie]. I thought the most exciting version of this movie is if Andy Serkis makes it," as quoted by Variety.

Jackson was presented with his honorary Palme by 'Lord of the Rings' star Elijah Wood on Tuesday night during the festival's opening ceremony.

"You showed the world something it had never seen before, and nothing was ever the same. He helped build an entirely new filmmaking culture at the far edge of the world."

In his speech, Jackson recalled that the decision to shoot most of the three "Lord of the Rings" films was a "huge gamble," dubbed a "folly" by the media that predicted the expense might prove to be a disaster if the first movie wasn't a hit.

However, he said that the narrative changed in Cannes 25 years ago, in 2001, when he showed 20 minutes of footage from 'The Fellowship of the Ring', leading to a grand reception for the film.

The Cannes Film Festival will take place till May 23 in France.

- ANI