‘Wallace and Gromit’ creator Nick Park is "a bit suspicious" of AI in the film industry.
The 65-year-old animator was catapulted to success after the iconic British claymation series debuted back in 1989, though has now admitted he is concerned about the potential consequences of Hollywood becoming more reliant on technological machinery in its projects.
Park told The Hollywood Reporter: "The authenticity is so key to the charm and to the humour. I have to question whether an AI computer will ever come up with a joke, will it ever come up with charm, will it understand what absurdity is, or irony?"
The ‘Chicken Run’ creator added the movie business could be giving up "something deeply human" if it leaned too heavily on AI.
He explained: "I feel there’s something deeply human that we could be giving up with this rush to AI.
"When we are talking about creativity, whether it’s writing or designing or whatever, there may be ways it could be helpful, but I think we should be very wary."
Park’s next project ‘Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ is a direct sequel to Aardman Animations’ 1993 film ‘The Wrong Trousers’, and will see the villainous penguin Feathers McGraw return to wreak havoc on the cheese-obsessed inventor and his trusty mutt by utilising Wallace’s autonomous "smart" gnome.
Director Merlin Crossingham explained the threat of technology to humanity was the main theme of the picture, and stressed the creative team refused to use AI in the project because they "believe in the human touch".
He said: "We should be very clear that we haven’t, and we wouldn’t use AI as part of our creative process, because we believe in the human touch. It comes down even to the aesthetic itself.
"In our films, you can see the thumbprints, and that’s really important to us."
Looking to the future, Park revealed another entry into the ‘Wallace and Gromit’ franchise was on the cards but stressed that he and the team needed a break from the series once ‘Vengeance Most Fowl’ is released at Christmas.
He said: "After we’ve had a little lie down, maybe a week or two, we can talk.
"But no, I mean Wallace and Gromit are like old friends. They’re always available. Personally, I can’t stop thinking of new ‘Wallace and Gromit’ ideas."
‘Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ debuts on BBC One on Christmas Day (25.12.24) in the UK and will be released worldwide on Netflix on 3 January 2025.
