Joe Russo: AI Enhanced Voice in 'The Electric State,' Praises AI's Creative Potential

Since its debut on Friday, the Russo Brothers' new Netflix film, The Electric State, has sparked widespread discussion, particularly regarding its use of AI. Joe Russo, who co-directed Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame with his brother Anthony, has openly defended the film's use of AI for voice modulation. He described it as a simple process, stating, "something any 10-year-old could do after watching a TikTok video."

In an interview with The Times, Joe Russo addressed the controversy surrounding AI in the film industry. "There’s a lot of finger-pointing and hyperbole because people are afraid," he remarked. "They don’t understand. But ultimately you’ll see AI used more significantly." Russo also highlighted the current state of AI technology, noting its "generative state" where "hallucinations" occur, making it unsuitable for critical tasks like self-driving cars or AI-assisted surgery. However, he believes AI's potential lies in enhancing creativity.

Despite opposition from many artists who view AI as contrary to creativity, some industry leaders, including Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, see its value. In July 2024, Sarandos stated that audiences "don’t care" about AI's use in programming and emphasized its potential to help creators "tell better stories." He drew parallels to the transition from hand-drawn to CG animation, suggesting that AI could similarly enhance content quality and expand the industry.

Not all studios are quick to adopt AI, however. Marvel recently denied using AI to create promotional materials for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, despite noticeable anomalies in the artwork.

The Electric State, directed and produced by Anthony and Joe Russo, is based on Simon Stalenhag's 2018 illustrated novel. The film features 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. Despite its high-profile cast and production team, The Electric State received a lukewarm review from IGN, scoring a 4/10 and described as a "$300-million anti-event movie."

Looking ahead, the Russo Brothers are set to direct the next two Avengers films for Marvel Studios: Avengers: Doomsday in 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027.