Gal Gadot on AI Filmmaking: Adapt or Risk Obsolescence in Bitcoin Thriller

Embrace the Technology or Exit the Industry

Gal Gadot recently shared candid reflections on her role in the Bitcoin-focused thriller “Bitcoin: Killing Satoshi,” addressing her complex relationship with artificial intelligence in entertainment. Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, as reported by Variety, Gadot acknowledged her hesitation about the technology while defending her decision to participate in an AI-heavy production. She characterized the shift as inevitable, stating that creatives must either adapt to AI tools or risk becoming irrelevant in a rapidly evolving industry landscape.

The actor’s involvement in the project represented a deliberate choice to engage with new filmmaking methodologies rather than resist them. Gadot emphasized that the technology is advancing regardless of individual acceptance, making passive resistance impractical for working professionals.

Unprecedented Contract Negotiations to Protect Performance

Gadot’s legal team undertook one of the most extensive contract negotiations of her career to safeguard her on-screen performance from AI manipulation. The process consumed six months and addressed every conceivable scenario involving artificial intelligence’s role in production. Her lawyers specifically insisted that AI involvement be restricted to set design and lighting generation, ensuring her acting remained authentically human.

The comprehensive protections proved so thorough that the Screen Actors Guild approached Gadot’s legal representatives for guidance on updating its own standard agreements. This consultation highlighted the pioneering nature of her contract and its potential value as a template for protecting other performers as studios increasingly incorporate AI into productions.

Revolutionary Production Efficiency and Novel Filmmaking Approach

Directed by Doug Liman, known for “The Bourne Identity,” the $70 million production took an unconventional approach to cinematography. Rather than filming across approximately 200 distinct locations, cast members including Casey Affleck, Pete Davidson, and Isla Fisher performed entirely within a converted car showroom lined with gray screens—dubbed the “gray box” by the production team. Artificial intelligence subsequently generated all environmental details, from elaborate set pieces to complex lighting arrangements, in post-production.

This methodology delivered substantial cost savings. Producer Ryan Kavanaugh indicated that traditional filming would have exceeded $300 million, placing the savings at more than $200 million. The efficiency also affected shooting schedules, with production days extending to ten consecutive hours without interruptions for conventional lighting adjustments. Gadot compared the experience to theatrical performance, noting the minimalist warehouse environment fostered what she described as a “pure art form” of moviemaking.

Despite her significant role in the project, Gadot has not yet viewed any completed footage, leaving the final result—and the effectiveness of AI-generated visuals paired with human performance—unknown even to its lead actress.

Source: Decrypt. Not financial advice.