Joe Russo’s 2022 AI Prediction: Did a Fully AI-Generated Movie Arrive in Two Years?

Hollywood has been “cooked” for years, according to AI enthusiasts, yet movies remain largely human-made. No AI-generated blockbuster has hit the silver screen, and even some filmmakers have overstated the technology’s capabilities.

Take Joe Russo, director of Avengers: Endgame, who predicted in a 2022 interview with Collider that a fully AI-generated movie would arrive within two years—exactly three years ago.

Russo’s AI Vision vs. Reality

Perhaps Russo was considering his own filmography, which has increasingly leaned into AI-assisted production. His 2022 film The Gray Man, a $200 million action flick, was widely criticized as a recycled compilation of set pieces from better movies, failing to elevate even star Ryan Gosling’s performance.

His 2025 film The Electric State, budgeted at $320 million, has been accused of being written by AI, with its over-the-top “EPIC” aesthetic resembling a ChatGPT-generated interpretation of the loosely adapted illustrated novel.

AI Advocacy in a Polarized Industry

Russo, who sits on the boards of multiple AI companies, and his brother Anthony Russo, have been vocal advocates for generative AI in an industry divided over its use. Even the mere suggestion of AI in a film’s production can spark controversy.

In the 2022 Collider interview, Russo argued that AI would “democratize storytelling,” enabling resource-strapped artists to create content more easily.

“You could walk into your house and save the AI on your streaming platform. ‘Hey, I want a movie starring my photoreal avatar and Marilyn Monroe’s photoreal avatar. I want it to be a rom-com because I’ve had a rough day,’ and it renders a very competent story with dialogue that mimics your voice.”

These predictions, however, have yet to materialize. Despite the hype, no AI-generated blockbuster has emerged, and Russo’s own films have faced backlash for their reliance on AI tools.

Russo Defends AI Use in The Electric State

Shortly after The Electric State’s early 2025 release, Russo admitted to using AI-powered voice modulation in the film, despite widespread criticism of its poor quality. He attributed Hollywood’s slow adoption of AI to fear and misunderstanding of the technology.

Russo is not alone in believing AI will transform the industry—though the pace and scale of that transformation remain far below early predictions. While AI may assist behind the scenes, it is not yet capable of generating entire movies, let alone the subpar output associated with the Russos’ recent work.

Further Reading

• Chinese Netflix Competitor Opens Floodgates to AI Slop