Lionsgate Motion Picture Chair Adam Fogelson On Studio’s New AI Deal: “Our Filmmakers Are Using It Already”

The Lionsgate earnings call this afternoon would not have been proper without addressing the elephant in the room, and that is the studio’s deal with AI research firm Runway.

When Lionsgate first announced the deal on Sept 18, it was the first of its kind partnership between a major Hollywood studio and Runway, which would create and train a new AI model, customized to the studio’s portfolio of film and television content. Eyebrows were of course raised. What did that mean? Keanu Reeves’ likeness used in perpetuity across John Wick movies until the end of time? Complete 100% AI generated movies?

Lionsgate Motion Picture Chair Adam Fogelson sought to calm any concerns when asked by an analyst about the studio’s use of AI under this new deal.

“There were some questions when it was reported. Once we clarified for our filmmaking partners, for our talent partners exactly what this was, how it would be used, what it is, what it isn’t, we’ve had great support and our filmmakers are using it already,” exclaimed Fogelson.

Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns emphasized on the earnings call, “We think this is very much going to enhance filmmaking and become an incredible tool for the community.”

On the top of the call, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer said, “We believe that AI, harnessed within the appropriate guardrails, can be a valuable tool to serve our talent.  And we believe that over the long term, it will have a positive transformational impact on our business.”

The CEO also explained that there will be “discipline around project development and production” when it comes to the use of AI.

Lionsgate’s use of Runway is also about reducing costs. As unions have been in an uproar over AI’s potential impact on employment, as well as its misuse surrounding actors’ likenesses, California Gov. Gavin Newsom sought to get ahead of hte storm by signing a law that would guard-rail AI performance replicas.

Added Burns about the Runway deal today, We think our partnership with them is gonna propel us to where the puck is heading as opposed to where it is.”

If you want to see what AI is already doing, take a look at the fan-made John Wick 1950s inspired Panavision trailer below (Editors note: This wasn’t created by Runway nor was it produced by Lionsgate):