AI Threatens Blockbuster Movies, Filmmaker Warns

Legendary filmmaker Peter Chan warned at a Hong Kong FilMart panel that artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to commercial blockbuster films, predicting AI could replace them within three years. He differentiated this threat from that to art-house cinema, suggesting AI is an enemy only to mediocre blockbusters. Chan also reflected on the necessity of co-productions, explaining how they create multiple home territories for films. This strategy is crucial for market reach, as evidenced by Malaysian CEO Sharmin Yusof's expansion into Indonesia and Thailand after hitting a ceiling in Malaysia. Animation was noted as particularly well-suited for co-production due to its divisible workflow, unlike live-action projects. The panel also observed that American audiences have become more receptive to subtitled content, a shift partly attributed to streaming platforms. Oscar-winning producer Ron Dyens and Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen also contributed to the discussion on co-productions and ethical filmmaking practices. However, Chan expressed concern over streaming platforms' over-reliance on data analytics, arguing it could negatively impact film content and marketing strategies, potentially killing films by over-commercialization. Yusof echoed this sentiment, emphasizing authenticity and the return of personal marketing touches like road tours to connect with audiences. Janet Yang suggested personal branding and individual creators forming their own ecosystems as a future trend in film marketing.