Former Friends star Lisa Kudrow criticizes Tom Hanks’ movie “Here” as an endorsement for AI

Former Friends actress Lisa Kudrow has ridiculed Tom Hanks’ recent movie, “Here,” which uses AI, describing it as an endorsement for AI due to its de-aging technology, which made Hanks look decades younger.

This comes as the use of AI in the arts and entertainment industry has divided opinion with some stakeholders calling the technology the deathbed of creativity and a blow to employees in the sector who risk losing jobs to the technology. Proponents of AI however feel it plays a complementary role and enhances creativity.

Lisa Kudrow thinks the movie indicates the crisis the industry faces

Tom Hanks’ movie, “Here,” makes extensive use of Metaphysic Live, an AI-driven tool that is used to de-age and face-swap actors. In a discussion on the implications of aging with Dax Shepard on the Armchair Expert podcast, Kudrow highlighted that the movie is an indication of the challenges the film industry faces.

“They shot it, and they could actually shoot the scene and then look at the playback of them as younger, and it’s ready for them to see,” said Kudrow.

“All I got from [the film] was, this is an endorsement for AI and oh, my God. It’s not like, ‘Oh, it’s going to ruin everything’, but what will be left? Forget actors, what about up-and-coming actors? They’ll just be licensing and recycling.”

Kudrow.

The movie, which was directed by Robert Zemeckis, reunites Hanks with his Forrest Gump co-star Robin Wright, as a married couple who are part of a series of characters occupying a single location whose history is told over time. The movie makes use of Metaphysic Live, driving derision from Kudrow.

During the discussion, the former Friends star alludes to the near-simultaneous facility of AI tools to show the results via immediate playback.

“Set that completely aside, what work will there be for human beings? Then what? There’ll be some kind of living stipend for people, [as] you won’t have to work? How can it possibly be enough?” questioned Kudrow.

Metaphysic, the company behind Metaphysic Live announced in 2023 that it had agreed with CAA, a talent agency to “develop generative AI tools and services,” which Zemeckis endorsed.

“Having tested every flavor of face replacement and de-aging technology available today, Metaphysic are clearly the global leader in feature-quality AI content,” said Zemeckis.

Proponents of AI hail de-aging technology

Production visual effects supervisor for the movie “Here,” Kevin Baillie hailed the de-aging AI-driven technology.

“It is incredible to see Metaphysic’s AI-generated content flawlessly integrated into a shot live on set. The actors can even use the technology as a ‘youth mirror’ – testing out acting choices for their younger selves in real-time.”

According to The Guardian, Metaphysic was previously responsible for the AI-generated replica of late actor Ian Holm that appeared in Alien: Romulus.

However, the use of AI in the film industry has attracted attention, sparking debates among stakeholders from writers, actors, and behind-the-scenes crew.

Fears over the unchecked use of AI technology were part of the reasons for protests by writers and actors. Protections were included as a critical element in the resolution for both writers and actors although complaints remain as to how strong these protections are against what Stranger star Matthew Modine described as “the AI tsunami crashing upon the shores of the entertainment industry.”

Hanks himself made headlines in May last year after discussing how AI would make him continue acting even after his demise.

“Anybody can now recreate themselves at any age they are by way of AI or deepfake technology. I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that’s it, but performances can go on and on and on and on.”

Hanks.

“Outside the understanding of AI and deepfake, there’ll be nothing to tell you that it’s not me and me alone. And it’s going to have some degree of lifelike quality. That’s certainly an artistic challenge but it’s also a legal one,” added Hanks then.

According to an earlier Variety report, “Here” is one of the 20 movies battling for one of the 10 spots on the Oscars shortlist for best visual effects.

It is also one of the three movies that employed the de-aging or synthetic human effects with the help of AI-driven tools.

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” has previously made the Oscars shortlist while having machine-learning technology as part of the process to de-aged Harrison Ford.

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