Peter Jackson, known for his work on 'Lord of the Rings,' addressed the use of AI in film during a Cannes Film Festival masterclass, a day after receiving an Honorary Palme d’Or.
AI in Film
Jackson, while acknowledging AI's potential to 'destroy the world,' maintained that its role in filmmaking is not objectionable. 'To me, it's just a special effect,' he stated, equating it to other cinematic tools.
However, he stressed the importance of protecting actors' rights against unauthorized use of their likenesses in films. 'As long as you've licensed the rights off the person who you're showing, I don't see the issue,' Jackson explained. He warned against likeness theft and unauthorized use.
Awards and Motion-Capture Performances
The filmmaker expressed concern over the current AI debate affecting recognition for motion-capture performances, like Andy Serkis' portrayal of Gollum. Jackson stated, 'I don't think a Gollum-type character or a generated character has any hope for winning any awards,' highlighting the unfairness in Serkis' case where the performance was entirely human-generated.
'The Hunt for Gollum' Details
Jackson teased 'The Hunt for Gollum,' with Andy Serkis directing and starring. Jackson explained his choice, emphasizing Serkis' deep understanding of Gollum. 'Andy knows this guy better than anybody,' he said, adding that Serkis' direction would bring the most exciting version of the film, which explores Gollum's psychology and addiction.
Honorary Palme d'Or Presentation
Elijah Wood, 'Lord of the Rings' star, presented Jackson with the honorary Palme, praising his groundbreaking work. Wood remarked, 'You showed the world something it had never seen before.' Jackson reflected on the initial skepticism surrounding the 'Lord of the Rings' films, recalling a pivotal moment 25 years ago at Cannes when the positive reception to 'The Fellowship of the Ring' footage changed public perception.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/festivals/peter-jackson-dont-dislike-ai-hunt-for-gollum-cannes-1236747009/
