Acclaimed actress Claire Foy has delivered a powerful critique of artificial intelligence's encroachment into filmmaking, stating the very idea 'makes her sad' and leaves her 'disappointed' in humanity.
Foy's Blunt Assessment of AI's Role
The 41-year-old star, famous for her Emmy-winning role as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, made her feelings clear in a recent interview. Discussing her latest project, H Is For Hawk, Foy revealed she would have thought it 's**t' if the studio had used an AI-generated bird instead of a real one. 'I just find it very sad. I have no interest in watching or reading anything by AI,' she told The Sunday Times.
When questioned on whether AI made her fear for her professional future, the two-time Emmy winner shifted the responsibility to audiences. 'Well, only if there is an appetite for people to watch that stuff, if the younger generation say this is just the world we live in,' she explained. However, Foy confessed she doesn't understand the appeal and warned, 'I'll be very disappointed in my fellow humans if that happens — if they want to watch glorified animation.'
Hollywood Backlash Against Digital Performers
Claire Foy is far from alone in her concerns. The rise of AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood, created by talent studio Xicoia, has sent shockwaves through the industry. Presented at the Zurich Film Festival, the digital brunette is designed as a composite of familiar stars and has been pitched as 'the next Scarlett Johansson'.
This development has horrified fellow A-lister Emily Blunt. Shown a report on Tilly, the Smashing Machine actress reacted with alarm. 'Does it disappoint me? I don't know how to quite answer it, other than to say how terrifying this is,' Blunt told Variety. 'No, are you serious? That's an AI? Good Lord, we're screwed. That is really, really scary.'
Blunt issued a direct plea to the industry: 'Come on, agencies, don't do that. Please stop. Please stop taking away our human connection.' When informed of Tilly's supposed resemblance to Scarlett Johansson, Blunt pointedly remarked, 'But we have Scarlett Johansson.'
Wider Industry Condemnation
The backlash extends further. Scream actress Melissa Barrera branded the news of Tilly Norwood 'gross' in an Instagram Story, urging actors represented by any agent who signs the AI to 'drop their a$'.
This growing dissent highlights a significant rift in Hollywood as technology advances. While Foy's latest film, H Is For Hawk, premiered in October following filming at the end of last year, her comments underscore a broader debate about authenticity and artistry in the age of algorithms.
The future of entertainment, as Foy noted, may ultimately be decided by audience appetite. But for now, a vocal contingent of its biggest stars is drawing a firm line in the sand, defending human performance against its digital imitation.
