Google executives have approached Disney, Universal and Warner Bros. Discovery about licensing characters and film libraries for AI models. No agreement has been reached so far. Talks have slowed over the legal complexity around AI and over the reaction of Hollywood talent and unions. An insider said the tools become usable for large-scale film and television production only if models are fine-tuned with studio dynamic content and metadata. Industry estimates put a single popular character at around 40 million dollars.
Google executives have approached studios including Disney, Universal and Warner Bros. Discovery about licensing characters and film libraries for use in AI models. The same talks cover popular characters and film archives for Google's own AI tools. No agreement has been reached so far.[1], [2]
One insider, who was not authorised to comment, said Google's tools can only become genuinely usable for large-scale film and television production if its models are fine-tuned with the dynamic content and metadata that only the studios hold. Industry estimates put the right to use a single popular character in AI models at around 40 million dollars, with packs of dozens of characters valued in the billions.[1], [2]
Talks have slowed over the legal complexity around AI and over concern about the reaction of Hollywood talent and unions. The obstacles include copyright and job-security concerns and complex data-security requirements. The studios are under pressure to cut costs and turn to AI while also protecting copyrights and their workers' jobs.[1], [2]
