Scorsese's AI pivot
Martin Scorsese, the 83-year-old Oscar-winning director, has joined AI company Black Forest Labs as an adviser. In a video released by the company, Scorsese demonstrated using AI to generate storyboard images instantly during the pre-production of his latest film.
"During the pre-production process, time costs money, and this allowed us to move faster without sacrificing quality or craft," Scorsese said. He compared the use of AI to earlier technological shifts in cinema, including 3D in Hugo and de-aging effects in The Irishman.
Industry backlash
Storyboard artist Karla Ortiz, whose credits include Avengers: Endgame and Black Panther, called Scorsese's endorsement "disgusting." She argued that AI image generators are trained on artists' work without permission or compensation. Animation director Samuel Deats said there is "no reason to need AI built on the stolen work of millions of artists."
The backlash reflects a broader tension in Hollywood. While some directors see AI as a useful tool for pre-visualization and cost savings, many artists view it as an existential threat to their livelihoods. The 2023 Hollywood strikes made AI a central issue, and the debate has only intensified since.
A divided industry
Other directors have taken different positions. Guillermo del Toro said he "would rather die than use AI." Steven Spielberg said AI can save legwork but should not have "the final word on anything creative." Darren Aronofsky and Steven Soderbergh have both used AI in recent projects.
The Oscars recently ruled that AI-generated actors and writing cannot win awards. But AI tools are already being used in Oscar-winning films, and their role in production is only growing. The question facing Hollywood is not whether AI will be used, but how — and at whose expense.