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AI could make movies better says Hollywood star as thousands of actors stage walk-out

British actor Simon Pegg believes the threat of being replaced by robots could potentially spur on those in Hollywood to raise their standards. His comments come amidst the biggest actors’ strike in decades

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Actors fear being replaced by digital replicas

Artificial Intelligence could make movies better, according to actor Simon Pegg.

The Mission: Impossible star believes the threat of being replaced by robots could spur on humans across Hollywood to raise their standards.


But Pegg, 53, said: “It might be a good thing in that it will stop us from being mediocre. There is a lot of mediocrity out there sometimes. So if it ups our game because we want to escape the velocity of this creeping threat then it’s a good thing.”

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The use of AI has prompted the biggest actors’ strike in decades with A-list stars joining writers and extras in protests.


Thelma & Louise star Susan Sarandon, 76, who joined picket lines in New York last week, said AI-generated productions were bad for the industry.

British actor Simon Pegg poses on the Spanish Steps ahead of the premiere of "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" movie in Rome
British actor Simon Pegg poses on the Spanish Steps ahead of the premiere of "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" movie in Rome(Image: Getty Images)

She said: “I think it’s important to present human beings to human beings. I don’t know how people want to see a product that is soulless like that.


"If you could take my face, my body and my voice and make me say and do something I have no choice about it’s not a good thing.’’

Around 160,000 actors have gone on strike over pay and fears they may be replaced by digital replicas.

The Screen Actors Guild wants guarantees from studios and film makers that AI and computer generated faces and voices will not be used to replace them.

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