Tom Cruise has defended human-made filmmaking amid the growing use of artificial intelligence in Hollywood, saying audiences will continue to value authentic, human-crafted stories and performances.
Speaking during a BAFTA “Life in Pictures” conversation in London on Monday night, Cruise acknowledged that AI is becoming an increasingly important part of the film industry but said he remains confident in the appeal of human creativity.
Asked by moderator Edith Bowman about AI’s impact on filmmaking, Cruise said, “There is nothing like human,” while discussing his long-standing support for the theatrical movie experience.
Cruise says audiences want ‘real things’
Cruise pointed to the strong performance of cinemas during this year’s summer season as evidence that audiences still want the experience of watching films on the big screen.
“People want that experience. They’re going to movie theaters,” he said, adding that he “always” believes in humanity.
The actor acknowledged that AI’s influence on filmmaking is inevitable.
“You know, it is coming and it’s going to happen. But people want to see real things,” Cruise said.
His comments received applause from those attending the BAFTA event.
Actor calls for filmmakers to keep creating
While Cruise did not directly criticise the use of AI in filmmaking, he urged creatives to continue focusing on their craft as technology changes the industry.
“What you put attention on, you give life,” he told the audience.
Cruise also expressed support for the craftspeople who spend their careers working across different areas of film production, highlighting the importance of the people behind the camera as well as those appearing on screen.
The actor previously raised concerns about AI during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA negotiations, when he advocated for stronger protections over the technology’s use in the entertainment industry.
Cruise discusses upcoming film Digger
The BAFTA conversation also covered Cruise’s upcoming film Digger, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, known for The Revenant.
Cruise plays a wealthy oil tycoon in the film and undergoes extensive prosthetic makeup for the role. The process initially took around six hours to complete.
“I’ve never read a movie like this,” Cruise said, describing Digger as “the most original film” and one of the most moving projects he has worked on.
Digger is scheduled to open in cinemas on October 2 through Warner Bros.
