OpenAI is on board with a feature-length generative AI film — ‘Critterz’ raises concerns of job loss in Hollywood

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Generative AI has deeply penetrated various aspects of life, from work to leisure activities, and even everyday routines. It’s not only encroaching upon Microsoft, potentially taking jobs for larger AI development, but also under the banner of “progress,” which may come at the expense of human employment opportunities. Now, it aspires to claim our television screens as well.

It’s revealed that OpenAI is producing an animated feature film titled Critterz, attracting a diverse array of skilled professionals, some of whom were writers for Paddington in Peru (according to the Wall Street Journal). As a fan of Paddington Bear’s endearing character, this news seems somewhat disconcerting.

In essence, what is Critterz all about? Is it a peek into Hollywood’s future with AI films, or the start of low-quality AI movies in theaters? Time will tell once it’s released. However, let’s discuss what we know so far and why it could potentially establish an unfortunate dark trend.

What is Critterz, and who’s behind it?

The upcoming animated film titled “Critterz” is a feature-length production that’s been developed with the help of artificial intelligence. This innovative movie will make its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 2026, and afterwards, it will be shown in theaters globally. The story revolves around a band of forest creatures embarking on an exciting journey, building upon a short proof-of-concept film created by AI in 2023.

In simpler terms, OpenAI is supplying the artificial intelligence technology for the project, encompassing GPT-5 and Sora. Meanwhile, Vertigo Films and Native Foreign have teamed up to handle production. The financing for this venture comes from Federation Studios.

A more casual rephrase could be: It’s particularly intriguing who the authors are – James Lamont and Jon Foster, known for Paddington in Peru that received a 93% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Joining them are Chad Nelson from OpenAI and Nik Kleverov from Native Foreign.

At present, approximately 30 individuals are involved in the film’s production, which is significantly less compared to the hundreds typically required for a traditional animated movie. This project is being marketed as an experiment, aiming to explore the extent to which AI technology can transform the production workflow.

How OpenAI plans to rewrite filmmaking with AI

The aim is to demonstrate that AI technology has the potential to expedite and reduce costs in film production (as shown by Vertigo).”

“While there’s progress being made with AI in film production (as shown by Vertigo), some may find it disconcerting due to potential job displacement.

This “experiment” aims to reduce production time from the typical span of three years to a mere nine months, along with reducing expenses from hundreds of millions of dollars to approximately $30 million. That’s the estimated cost for this endeavor.

The event is presented as a showcase of AI’s abilities, yet I find myself feeling apprehensive, particularly if things go smoothly.

If our efforts prove fruitful, there’s a concern that we may step into an era where roles in artistic professions could become obsolete. I believe it’s not appropriate for AI to encroach upon such domains. Instead, AI should be utilized to handle monotonous, routine tasks. The prospect of AI overtaking the entire creative process is what makes me apprehensive about this venture.

The cost-cutting experiment threatening human creatives

The production of Critterz is being handled by an unexpectedly compact group, defying conventional standards in the realm of animated filmmaking, where such endeavors often require the collaboration of hundreds. If it proves successful, it raises significant queries about potential implications for employment opportunities in animation, visual effects, and other creative industries.

Organizations such as SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America have historically safeguarded salaries, credits, job titles, and work environments for quite some time. However, integrating AI might lead to a blurring of these lines, lessen our bargaining strength, and potentially compromise protections that have been painstakingly established over several decades.

It’s quite conceivable that small teams powered by artificial intelligence could emerge beyond union guidelines, posing challenges in maintaining regulations or safeguarding jobs. This risk is significant and cannot be overlooked. It’s possible that large production studios might view AI as a means to bypass creative workforce entirely, which potentially undermines job security and artistic quality.

I believe I’ve expressed my viewpoint clearly, but I’d really like to hear your thoughts on the matter. Artificial Intelligence holds great potential, yet it’s also becoming a cause for concern as it encroaches more into people’s lives and threatens jobs. Interestingly, Microsoft, which isn’t part of this project, is actively incorporating AI into its processes, making it mandatory for employees to use it – regardless of their preferences.

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2025-09-11 14:40