Martin Scorsese has partnered with AI startup Black Forest Labs to use generative AI for storyboarding
Martin Scoresese
Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com
Hollywood’s complicated romance with artificial intelligence just got a whole lot more interesting. Martin Scorsese, the 83-year-old director behind Goodfellas, Raging Bull, and The Departed, has signed on as a partner and adviser to Black Forest Labs, a fast-growing AI image generation startup.
As reported by the New York Times, Scorsese used the company’s technology during preproduction for a new film and released a video from his New York office explaining his enthusiasm. For an industry that only three years ago went on strike partly over AI protections, this is a remarkable turn of events.
Scorsese is using AI but not in the way you think
Scorsese is using AI exclusively for storyboarding, the process of visually mapping out scenes before cameras roll. He explained that for 70 years, he has drawn his own storyboards, but always struggled to communicate exactly what he sees in his head to his cinematographer, production designer, and art director.
Black Forest Labs’ technology, which builds on open AI models called FLUX, helped him solve that problem. The startup is a 70-person company based in Freiburg, Germany, currently valued at around $3.25 billion. Its technology already powers image features inside Adobe, Canva, Microsoft, and Meta.
Hollywood is warming up to AI despite protests
Scorsese isn’t alone, as plenty of other big names are moving in the same direction. Amazon MGM Studios recently unveiled three AI-generated animated series for children, and Netflix is building an internal studio called INKubator to produce AI-generated animated content.
Val Kilmer’s likeness is also being brought back using AI technology in the upcoming film As Deep as the Grave. An AI actress named Tilly Norwood is already making waves in Hollywood, with her very existence sparking fierce debate about where the industry is headed.
Not everyone is convinced, though. Steven Spielberg voiced strong concerns publicly, making clear he opposes AI replacing human creativity in filmmaking.
Seth Rogen and Guillermo del Toro also pushed back on AI at Cannes. The debate is far from settled, but Scorsese’s endorsement suggests the conversation has moved well past if and firmly into how.
Manisha Priyadarshini is a tech and entertainment writer with over nine years of editorial experience.
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Apple TV’s hit sci-fi series is back, and the new Silo season 3 trailer makes it clear that the show is finally ready to answer its biggest question: how did the world end?
The 10-episode third season premieres on July 3, with new episodes dropping every Friday through September 4. And if this trailer is anything to go by, the wait has been worth it.
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After it was made on a budget of less than $1 million, Obsession achieved universal acclaim in theaters, receiving a 96% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It also grossed over $100 million at the box office in just three weeks, according to Box Office Mojo, making it one of the most successful horror movies of the decade.
5 great Netflix sci-fi movies to watch in the summer
Big ideas, stunning visuals, and unforgettable adventures make these Netflix sci-fi movies ideal summer viewing.
Summer and science fiction have always been a natural pairing. The season is synonymous with blockbuster entertainment, and sci-fi continues to be one of the best genres for delivering larger-than-life action, ambitious storytelling, and unforgettable worlds. Whether you’re in the mood for futuristic adventures, mind-bending concepts, or spectacular visual effects, there’s no shortage of great options on Netflix.
The streaming service’s sci-fi library is constantly evolving, with a mix of modern hits, acclaimed originals, and crowd-pleasing adventures available to watch. If you’re looking for something exciting to stream during the hottest months of the year, these are the Netflix sci-fi movies worth adding to your watchlist.
The Creator (2023)
One of the most visually stunning sci-fi movies of the past few years, The Creator imagines a future where humanity is locked in a war against artificial intelligence. John David Washington stars as Joshua, a former special forces agent who is sent to track down a mysterious weapon that could end the conflict. His mission takes an unexpected turn when he discovers that the weapon is actually an AI child with the power to change the course of the war.
Director Gareth Edwards, best known for Rogue One and Godzilla, brings an impressive sense of scale to the film, creating a futuristic world that feels both immersive and believable. While The Creator explores familiar themes about artificial intelligence and humanity’s relationship with technology, its breathtaking visuals and ambitious world-building help it stand out from many of its sci-fi peers. If you’re looking for a big-screen sci-fi experience to kick off your summer streaming lineup, this is an easy place to start.
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Manisha Priyadarshini