Hollywood’s relationship with artificial intelligence is marked by a cautious approach as studios seek cost-cutting measures while grappling with the concerns of actors, directors, and crew members. In contrast, China is adopting a more unabashed strategy to integrate AI into the entertainment sector.
The China Film Foundation, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Chinese government, has unveiled plans to utilize AI technology to rejuvenate 100 classic kung fu films. Iconic titles such as “Police Story,” “Once Upon a Time in China,” and “Fist of Fury,” featuring legendary stars Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Bruce Lee, are on the list for revitalization.
To facilitate this ambitious project, the foundation is teaming up with industry players, including Shanghai Canxing Culture & Media Co., which will license 100 Hong Kong films to AI companies, aiming to reintroduce these cinematic treasures to younger international audiences.
Zhang Pimin, chairman of the China Film Foundation, highlighted the potential of AI to enhance storytelling, asserting at the Shanghai International Film Festival, “By empowering cultural storytelling with technology, we can breathe new life into the classics and tell China’s stories farther and louder.”
This initiative has raised eyebrows among artists in the U.S., where there are significant reservations about AI’s role in creative fields. The Directors Guild of America has declared that while AI can be a valuable tool, it should strictly serve to enhance the creative storytelling process without compromising the integrity of a filmmaker’s original vision.
The DGA’s stance is clear: “The Guild has a longstanding history of opposing such alterations on issues like colorization or sanitization of films to eliminate so-called ‘objectionable content’, or other changes that fundamentally alter a film’s original style, meaning, and substance.”
This divide highlights the contrasting perspectives on AI and its capabilities within the entertainment industry as the U.S. and China vie for preeminence in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Many in Hollywood, while some studios like Lionsgate and Blumhouse have ventured collaborations with AI firms, remain hesitant to embrace such partnerships, mindful of upsetting talent wary of potential AI misuse, especially regarding their likenesses without fair compensation.
In stark contrast, countries like China exhibit far fewer limitations, which has encouraged bolder experimentation with this technology. In fact, a recent survey by the United Nations Development Program revealed that 83% of respondents in China trust AI systems to act in society’s best interest, compared to only 37% in the U.S.
The announcement from the China Film Foundation caught Bruce Lee Enterprises off guard, as they govern the legal usage of the late martial arts icon’s likeness in creative works. A spokesperson noted that Bruce Lee’s family was unaware of the initiative and is currently in the process of gathering information.
John Woo, director of the original “A Better Tomorrow,” expressed his lack of familiarity with the AI-centered project and highlighted that the rights to his film have been changed multiple times. He stated, “I wasn’t really involved in the project because I’m not very familiar with AI technology. However, I’m very curious about the outcome and the effect it might have on my original film.”
David Chi, representing the China Film Foundation’s Special Fund for Film and Urban Development, confirmed that Jackie Chan is aware of the revitalization plan and intends to consult with Chan’s team regarding the project. Chi emphasized the need for clarity on how AI technology would intertwine with Chan’s image rights and business interests.
The widespread usage of AI in China is not new; it is already applied in various facets such as scriptwriting, content moderation, recommendations, and translation. Additionally, AI has significantly reduced the time required for post-production visual effects work from days to mere hours, according to He Tao, an official from the National Radio and Television Administration’s research center, during his remarks at the Shanghai International Film Festival.
He stated that the enthusiasm for integrating AI spans across government agencies, content platforms, and production institutions, which has never been stronger.
Support for the project arises from the belief that AI can broaden China’s cultural impact worldwide and create new opportunities for creatives. Advocates claim that AI’s disruptive potential simplifies the filmmaking process; for example, the animated “A Better Tomorrow” remake was produced with just 30 crew members, a fraction of what is typically required.
Eric Harwit, a professor of Asian studies, remarked on the differences between China and the U.S., stating, “China is a more brutal society in that sense. If somebody loses their job because artificial intelligence is taking over, well, that’s just the cost of China’s moving forward. They don’t have that kind of regret about people losing jobs, and there are fewer opportunities for organized protest against the Chinese government.”
Guilds in Hollywood, such as SAG-AFTRA, have been vocal about the potential dangers that AI poses to jobs and are actively advocating for contractual protections against AI use in the entertainment industry, specifically in TV shows, films, and video games. They are also lobbying state and federal legislators for stricter laws regarding the use of deep fakes—videos manipulated to falsify endorsements.
In contrast, there are no such protections in place in China, where labor organizations lack the strength to challenge AI implementation in a sector that could threaten job security.
As U.S. studios engage in legal battles over the implications of how AI companies train their models using copyrighted materials, the China Film Foundation is eagerly moving ahead with its plans. Recently, Walt Disney Co. and Universal Pictures filed lawsuits against AI startup Midjourney, claiming that it uses technology to produce images that replicate the studios’ iconic characters, including Yoda and Shrek.
According to officials involved with the kung fu film revitalization project, AI will be leveraged to introduce “stunning realism” and create immersive viewing experiences that transport audiences into environments where they can “feel the philosophy of movement and stillness.”
As the initiative progresses, Chi mentioned the foundation’s commitment to providing unrestricted access to their intellectual property, platforms, and adaptation rights for international partners, aiming to afford audiences a wider variety of engaging and high-quality AI-enhanced films.
The kung fu revitalization effort extends beyond remaking films; it also encompasses the development of a martial arts video game, showcasing a multifaceted approach.
Industry analysts view this strategy as astute, suggesting that revisiting popular martial arts classics holds the potential to revive cinematic experiences that have long inspired action films in the U.S.
As Simon Pulman, a legal expert, succinctly described, “They’ve got very little to lose by doing this.” If successful, the initiative could elevate the status of these films, indicating minimal risk for enterprises involved.
Over the years, China’s film industry has grown markedly, driven by an increase in cinema venues, including IMAX cinemas. Once heavily reliant on U.S. blockbusters like the “Fast & Furious” and Marvel franchises, the Chinese box office has evolved to increasingly feature local productions that now dominate the market.
For example, the animated film “Ne Zha 2” achieved global box office sales of $2.2 billion. Yet, Chinese movies have yet to make a significant impact in U.S. theaters, even though classic martial arts films boast a loyal international fan base and enduring legacy.
Media analysts, like Paul Dergarabedian from Comscore, highlighted the universal appeal of martial arts movies: “People love martial arts movies, because action travels. It doesn’t matter what language it’s in; if you have a great action sequence and excellent fighting sequences, it resonates with audiences worldwide.”
In summary, as China embarks on its bold AI-driven initiative to revitalize its cinematic heritage, the contrasting perspectives on AI within the U.S. entertainment industry underscore an evolving narrative filled with both promise and apprehension.
image source from：latimes
