Liman’s “Killing Satoshi” Reveals AI Usage

“Road House” and “Edge of Tomorrow” filmmaker Doug Liman’s new cryptocurrency-themed conspiracy thriller film “Killing Satoshi,” which stars Casey Affleck and Pete Davidson, is trying something different.

The film explores one of the biggest mysteries of the 21st century – the secret identity of the elusive Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin. Nick Schenk penned the film about an elite cabal’s diabolical plans to make sure that the truth never surfaces.

Variety reports that, according to a U.K. casting notice, actors on the indie film will perform on a “markerless performative capture stage and not in any locations, using new AI technologies”.

In addition, the film’s producers reportedly reserve the right to alter any actor’s performance using generative AI and/or machine learning tech.

That includes altering facial and body movements. AI won’t be used to create a “recognisable and identifiable digital replica” without “prior written consent”.

Producer Ryan Kavanaugh tells the trade: “We were very cautious, sensitive and overly protective of our actors to make sure we only use performance capture AI, which means that we will not have any AI-generated actors that do not exist.”

The news comes as SAG-AFTRA is undergoing film and TV contract negotiations with the major studios and streamers, with the issue of ‘synthetic’ performances and likeness protections key to the new deal.

Filming on “Killing Satoshi” is slated to get underway in the coming weeks in the UK.