# ‘Iron Man’ Cinematographer Matthew Libatique Says AI ‘Could Replace Marvel’ VFX, but They’ll Never ‘Use AI Actors’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/iron-man-cinematographer-matthew-libatique-says-ai-could-replace-marvel-vfx-but-theyll-never-use-ai-actors/
- Published: 2026-10-30T19:30:32+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-30T20:34:56+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/film/global/iron-man-matthew-libatique-ai-could-replace-marvel-vfx-1236934879/
- Topics: AI, Celebrity, Entertainment, Film, Geopolitics, Politics, Technology

## Key points

- Libatique and Aronofsky are testing AI for their next film.
- He says AI could cut superhero visual-effects costs.
- He does not expect AI actors to replace human performers.

## Summary

Cinematographer Matthew Libatique says artificial intelligence could help Marvel and DC reduce the cost of visual effects, but he does not expect it to replace cinema or human performers. He is testing AI with director Darren Aronofsky for their next collaboration, while stressing that their filmmaking process will remain grounded in human work on set.

Libatique said the filmmakers want to explore how camera footage can be used with the technology and what it can produce. He pointed to films built around extensive digital environments, such as Zack Snyder’s *300*, as examples of work AI might emulate, while arguing that audiences still value human connection. He also said he could not imagine Marvel using AI actors to replace performers such as Robert Downey Jr. or Chris Evans.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.