On Friday, TriStar Pictures released Here, a significant film directed by Robert Zemeckis that showcases cutting-edge generative AI technology to portray actors Tom Hanks and Robin Wright over a 60-year timeline. With a production budget of $50 million, this film stands out as one of the first full-length features in Hollywood that extensively employs AI-powered visual effects, presenting a fresh approach to character evolution across various time periods without the need to cast different actors for different ages.
Set primarily in a New Jersey living room, Here is adapted from a 2014 graphic novel and tells its story through multiple pivotal moments in time. Instead of using traditional casting methods, the filmmakers decided to utilize AI to adjust Hanks’ and Wright’s appearances as the narrative progresses.
This technique is facilitated by Metaphysic, a visual effects company specializing in real-time face swapping and aging. This innovative approach allowed the crew to monitor both the actors’ actual looks and their digitally transformed versions simultaneously during filming.
The facial modification system created by Metaphysic relies on custom machine-learning models that were trained on a vast collection of footage featuring Hanks and Wright. This advanced technology allows for instantaneous transformations, eliminating the lengthy post-production processes typically associated with CGI.
TriStar Pictures Launches Innovative Film Here, Featuring AI Technology to Showcase Tom Hanks and Robin Wright Over 60 Years
By analyzing facial landmarks and mapping them to various age variations, the system generates realistic age adjustments in real time. Zemeckis remarked that the technological capabilities available now would have made such a project impossible just a few years ago, as traditional methods would have required a significantly larger budget and workforce.
As the film industry increasingly integrates AI into various aspects of filmmaking, there are ongoing discussions about its implications, particularly concerning creative processes. Recent guild contracts have established restrictions on AI’s role in scriptwriting and other creative domains.
Despite this, Metaphysic’s technology has already been implemented in other forthcoming films, such as Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Alien: Romulus, which involved recreating characters portrayed by deceased actors. While some industry veterans express concerns about AI’s impact, the demand for innovative visual storytelling persists, with figures like Robert Downey Jr. advocating against unauthorized digital recreations of their likenesses. As Hollywood navigates these advancements, the future of filmmaking remains complex and ever-evolving.
