Avengers Director Joe Russo Says AI Was Used for Voice Modulation in Netflix Film The Electric State, Insists 'AI Is Best Suited Towards Creativity'

The Russo brothers' new Netflix film, The Electric State, has sparked significant conversation since its release, particularly regarding its use of AI in voice modulation. Joe Russo, director of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, defended this choice, stating it was a simple technique, accessible even to a ten-year-old familiar with TikTok. He acknowledged concerns surrounding AI, emphasizing the current limitations of the technology due to its "hallucinations," preventing its use in mission-critical applications like self-driving cars or AI-assisted surgery. However, he sees significant creative potential in AI's generative state.

This perspective contrasts with many artists who view AI as antithetical to creativity. Nevertheless, some studios, including Netflix, express enthusiasm for AI's potential. In July 2024, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos asserted that audiences are unconcerned about AI's use in filmmaking, believing it enhances storytelling rather than diminishing it, drawing a parallel to the evolution of animation from hand-drawn to CGI.

However, the industry's embrace of AI isn't universal. Marvel recently denied using AI in creating teaser posters for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, despite a noticeable anomaly in one image.

The Electric State, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, and adapted from Simon Stalenhag's novel, boasts a star-studded cast including Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Woody Harrelson, Jason Alexander, Anthony Mackie, Jenny Slate, Giancarlo Esposito, Brian Cox, and Stanley Tucci. The film received a less-than-stellar 4/10 rating from IGN, criticized as a costly disappointment.

The Russo brothers are set to direct the next two Avengers films: Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).