Avengers Director Joe Russo Says AI Was Used for Voice Modulation in Netflix Film The Electric State, Insists 'AI Is Best Suited Towards Creativity'

The Russo brothers' new Netflix film, The Electric State, has generated significant buzz since its release, sparking considerable debate about its use of AI, particularly in voice modulation. Joe Russo, director of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, defended this choice, suggesting the technique was remarkably simple, accessible even to a ten-year-old familiar with TikTok. He acknowledged the anxieties surrounding AI but emphasized its growing importance in filmmaking, particularly in its current generative state. While acknowledging AI's current limitations – its "hallucinations" prevent mission-critical applications – Russo highlighted its potential for creative endeavors.

This perspective contrasts with the views of many artists who see AI as antithetical to creativity. However, some studios, including Netflix, express enthusiasm for AI's potential. In July 2024, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos stated that audiences are unconcerned about AI's use in film and television, asserting that it enhances storytelling rather than merely reducing costs, drawing a parallel to the evolution of animation from hand-drawn to CGI.

This optimistic view isn't universally shared. Last month, Marvel Studios denied using AI in creating teaser posters for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, despite an apparent anomaly in one image.

The Electric State, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, and adapted from Simon Stalenhag's 2018 novel, boasts a star-studded cast including Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Woody Harrelson, Jason Alexander, Anthony Mackie, Jenny Slate, Giancarlo Esposito, Brian Cox, and Stanley Tucci. However, the film received a less-than-stellar 4/10 rating from IGN, criticized as a costly disappointment.

The Russo brothers are slated to direct the next two Avengers films for Marvel Studios: Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).