Overview
- Ron Howard told a Runway AI Festival audience that generative AI can democratize storytelling and create “a new aesthetic,” but he said whether AI-made films succeed will be decided by audiences.
- Howard acknowledged creative and cultural worries and urged filmmakers to develop legal and ethical guidelines for how AI is used in production.
- He said he has not yet seen the efficiency gains proponents promised, noting that lower costs and faster turnarounds have not materialized in his work.
- Runway announced a deeper partnership with Lionsgate to build a Runway-focused model and an AI film pipeline, reflecting growing studio investment in generative-video tools.
- The industry remains divided as some directors adopt AI for storyboarding and effects while others call for strict limits, a split that could shape jobs, rights rules, and what kinds of films audiences accept.