In a landmark moment for filmmaking, acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky has unveiled "On This Day… 1776," touted as the first fully AI-generated series in Hollywood. Released on TIME's YouTube channel starting January 2026, this weekly short-form historical drama reimagines the American Revolution, episode by episode, exactly 250 years after the events.
Aronofsky, known for masterpieces like "Requiem for a Dream," "Black Swan," "The Fountain," and "The Whale," has traded traditional cameras for neural networks, sparking a firestorm of debate about the future of cinema.
Produced by Aronofsky's AI-focused studio, Primordial Soup, in partnership with Google DeepMind, the series leverages generative AI for all visuals — characters, backgrounds, and animations.
Human elements remain central: the script is penned by writers, voices are provided by SAG-AFTRA union actors, post-production handles editing and color grading, and an original soundtrack composes the audio landscape.
Aronofsky defends the approach, viewing AI as "a new brush for the artist," enabling accessible and historically accurate storytelling without the prohibitive costs of live-action shoots.
Yet, the reception has been polarizing. Early episodes evoke an uncanny valley effect, reminiscent of video game cutscenes rather than cinematic depth. Critics and viewers alike have lambasted it as "AI slop"—soulless, inaccurate, and a betrayal of artistic craft.
Comment sections under the videos are rife with disdain, calling it "embarrassing" and "evil," with concerns over job displacement for artists and environmental impacts from AI training. One X user lamented, "Nobody fucking asked for this abysmal dogshit," highlighting fears that AI undermines historical authenticity.
On the flip side, supporters argue it's a bold experiment, emphasizing that the message — reframing the Revolution as a fragile, uncertain endeavor — outweighs the medium. Some praise the mindset shift, with one X post noting Aronofsky's courage in embracing AI amid Hollywood's hesitation.
As TIME Studios President Ben Bitonti stated, it showcases "thoughtful, creative, artist-led use of AI," expanding storytelling possibilities.
Is this a savvy cost-cutting hype machine or a visionary leap forward? The jury's out, but "On This Day… 1776" undeniably marks a turning point. As debates rage, one thing's clear: AI is no longer knocking at Hollywood's door—it's already inside. What do you think—soulless nonsense or the future of entertainment?
- 😈 for "soulless nonsense"
- 🔥 for "the future."
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