Matt Damon is not the sole Odysseus to grace the big screen this season, it seems. Following their controversial fully AI-generated film debut at the Tribeca Festival last month, Fountain 0 is returning with a new venture – an AI reimagining of Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey. Ash Koosha, the founder of Fountain 0, has chosen to portray Odysseus, citing his resemblance to a Bronze Age Greek, in Odysseus: The Fall, slated for release later this summer. This release closely follows Damon’s portrayal of the cunning king of Ithaca in Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated blockbuster, The Odyssey, hitting theaters on July 17.
Both films are adaptations of the classic poem chronicling the king’s journey home from the Trojan War. While Nolan’s project boasts a hefty $250 million budget, Koosha’s creation was produced on a significantly smaller budget in the “mid-five figures” range, which he did not disclose to CBC News. Koosha expressed that he would not have been able to afford showcasing mythical creatures like monsters and cyclops without the aid of AI technology. The production, completed part-time over three months, mostly allocated the budget to cloud token credits, a virtual currency for software expenses.
Reactions to the AI-generated movies have been mixed. The release of the teaser for Odysseus: The Fall drew critical comments on YouTube, with some viewers expressing disappointment in the lack of real actors in the film. Despite the controversies surrounding Nolan’s rendition, the executive producer of the AI film, Tom Rogers, acknowledged that many might find Nolan’s work superior. However, he hopes the film will spark discussions on the potential of AI in filmmaking.
In response to the rise of AI-generated content, ACTRA has raised concerns regarding the impact on traditional performers and the art of storytelling. Marie Kelly, the national executive director of ACTRA, emphasized the importance of preserving human storytelling in the face of synthetic competition. Kelly urged the Canadian government to enact regulations to safeguard performers’ rights and the integrity of artistic expression.
While acknowledging the potential job displacement caused by AI advancements, Rogers remains optimistic that consumers will appreciate the quality and creativity offered by AI-generated films. Brenda Austin-Smith, a professor at the University of Manitoba, views AI as a valuable tool in filmmaking when used creatively and skillfully. However, she cautions against relying solely on AI for filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of human creativity and storytelling in the filmmaking process.
Despite facing criticism, Koosha remains undeterred, viewing feedback as a learning opportunity to improve future projects. Odysseus: The Fall will be available for streaming on Fountain0.com later this summer, with a runtime of 135 minutes.