Sylvester Stallone defends AI and believes it is “here to stay”
Sylvester Stallone has defended the use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, saying it is “here to stay” and that the industry cannot stop its spread. He argued that filmmakers may be overwhelmed if they refuse to engage with the technology, while acknowledging that creative professionals have valid moral concerns.
Stallone cited his proposal to use AI de-ageing for a Rambo prequel, in which he hoped to play John Rambo at 18; studio bosses instead cast the younger Noah Centineo. On The Overlap, he also described wanting to combine human and AI performances, and pointed to the prospect of people selling their images for multiple digital avatars, including versions of Elvis. His comments come amid debate over AI in film, including Eli Roth’s admission that generative AI was used in a small portion of scenes in Ice Cream Man.
In short
- Stallone says AI is here to stay in filmmaking.
- He proposed AI de-ageing for a Rambo prequel.
- He accepts creators’ moral concerns but says AI’s spread cannot be stopped.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
AI could give filmmakers new ways to tell stories, including depicting characters at different ages or blending human performances with digital techniques. Since the technology is spreading, engaging with it may help creative workers shape how it is used and share in new opportunities, such as licensing digital likenesses.
The case against
AI’s use in filmmaking raises concerns about consent, fair payment and control over performers’ images, especially if digital replicas can be reused widely. It may also alter the work available to actors and other creative professionals, while relying on the technology could diminish the human contribution that gives performances their distinctive value.
Explained simply
Artificial intelligence can generate or alter images, voices and performances, giving filmmakers new ways to create scenes or make actors appear younger. Its use has raised questions about consent, pay and how much creative work should be done by people.
Sylvester Stallone is an actor and filmmaker best known for playing Rocky Balboa and John Rambo. For a planned prequel about Rambo’s early life, he proposed using AI to make himself look 18, but the studio cast Noah Centineo to play the younger character.
The debate also involves filmmakers such as Eli Roth, who has said generative AI was used in a small part of his film Ice Cream Man. It matters to actors, writers and studios because AI could change how films are made and how people’s likenesses are used.