Director Eli Roth has confirmed that his upcoming horror film Ice Cream Man does use generative AI, retracting earlier comments suggesting one of its most striking animated sequences was entirely hand-drawn. The clarification follows online speculation after early reviewer copies of the film credited Dark Half, an AI visual effects company, prompting fans to question how much of the film's visuals were AI-generated. The issue matters given the ongoing debate within the film industry over transparency around AI use in production.

Roth had previously told Polygon he personally drew the frames for a Fleischer Studios-style cartoon sequence that hypnotises children into becoming killers, describing his hands-on animation process in detail. After being pressed further, Roth issued a statement admitting he "misspoke" and that AI was used in "a very small portion of a few scenes," though he did not specify which scenes or how the technology was applied. Polygon has sought further clarification from Roth's representatives and from Dark Half, but has not yet received a response; the film is due to premiere in cinemas on 7 August.