Lionsgate Partners with AI Company Runway
The partnership will allow Runway to develop its generative AI model with the studio’s substantial content library.
Lionsgate has entered a notable partnership with AI research firm Runway as the studio aims to integrate innovative technology into its content creation process. This deal allows Runway to develop a generative AI model trained specifically on Lionsgate’s vast library of films and TV shows, marking the entertainment company's venture into AI-assisted filmmaking. The studio is known for producing popular franchises like John Wick and The Hunger Games, and this new collaboration reflects its effort to modernize production techniques and explore cost-effective content creation.
While exact specifics of the partnership remain under wraps, the customized AI model will be unique to Lionsgate and is intended to assist directors, filmmakers, and other creative professionals in enhancing their projects. Lionsgate Vice Chair Michael Burns emphasized that the technology will serve as a supportive tool for both preproduction and postproduction, with several filmmakers already showing interest in its potential uses.
Lionsgate's move to collaborate with Runway is notable as it becomes the first major Hollywood studio to officially partner with the AI company. As studios across the industry closely monitor the rapid advancements in generative AI, which can generate images and video from prompts, Lionsgate appears poised to leverage the technology to create content more efficiently. Burns highlighted the financial benefits, noting that AI can help lower costs, a priority for Lionsgate, which often operates with smaller budgets in contrast to larger studios.
However, the integration of AI in Hollywood has sparked debates, particularly concerning the potential influence on job stability and the uncontrolled use of performers' likenesses. Just recently, California passed legislation regulating AI-generated performance replicas, underscoring the growing legal scrutiny. Studios are cautiously navigating this landscape, balancing the promise of AI-driven innovation with the concerns raised by labor unions and legal experts.
Runway, co-founded by Cristóbal Valenzuela, presents itself as a partner committed to empowering the creative community. The company sees its technology as a way to enhance artistic expression, enabling creators to bring their visions to life more effectively. Valenzuela expressed excitement about the collaboration, praising Lionsgate’s creative team and emphasizing the potential for AI to unlock new storytelling possibilities.
As Hollywood continues to explore AI’s role in content creation, Lionsgate’s partnership with Runway signals a forward-thinking approach to integrating new technology into filmmaking. Both companies are positioning themselves at the forefront of this evolving landscape, with an eye on innovation while addressing the challenges and opportunities AI presents for the future of entertainment.