Key facts
- Gal Gadot stars in "Bitcoin: Killing Satoshi," a thriller produced with AI tools.
- Gadot expressed fear of AI but believes in working with it to stay relevant.
- Her contract took six months to negotiate to protect her performance from AI.
- AI was used for sets and lighting, not for generating the actors' performances.
- The film's production saved over $200 million by using AI for sets and lighting.
- Gadot's lawyers' work on AI protections reportedly informed SAG's contract updates for other actors.
Gal Gadot, star of "Bitcoin: Killing Satoshi," has voiced her apprehension about artificial intelligence while acknowledging its necessity in the film industry. She stated that the industry's direction requires adaptation, saying, "The train has left the station. You're going to work with it or be out of the game completely."
The $70 million film, directed by Doug Liman, focuses on the pursuit of Bitcoin's creator. Gadot, alongside Casey Affleck, Pete Davidson, and Isla Fisher, performed within a 'gray box' studio environment, with all sets and lighting generated post-production using AI. This approach, according to producer Ryan Kavanaugh, resulted in savings exceeding $200 million compared to a conventional shoot, which would have cost over $300 million.
Gadot's contract for the film was particularly lengthy, taking six months to negotiate. Her legal team meticulously reviewed every AI-related scenario to protect her performance. She emphasized that AI was used solely for the film's environments and lighting, asserting that her acting was entirely her own. The detailed focus on AI protections in her contract reportedly led SAG to consult her lawyers for guidance on updating its own agreements to safeguard other actors.