The actor's strong stance, reported by Ecran Large, comes after his recent collaboration with Amazon MGM on the animated series Spider-Noir, where he voiced the titular character. Despite the show's positive reception, its subsequent cancellation wasn't the primary source of Cage's frustration. Instead, it was Amazon's broader AI policies that prompted his firm declaration.
"Amazon is a company very open to AI, given its investment of 50 billion dollars in Open AI," Cage stated at the event. He made it clear where he stands on the issue: "I am not an actor open to AI… I am not a member of their club. I did not sign the waiver to let them use AI on Spider-Noir." The actor’s comments underscore a critical point of contention within the industry: the use of 'waivers' that can grant studios permission to utilize an actor's likeness or voice through AI.
For Cage, this issue is a deal-breaker. "I will probably not work with this studio again, but that's okay," he asserted, signaling a significant move for a high-profile actor. His decision brings into sharp focus the ethical dilemmas surrounding generative AI, especially concerning how it might impact actors' rights and creative control.
The debate over AI's integration into Hollywood has gained considerable traction, with figures like Isabelle Huppert, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Andrew Garfield also weighing in. While major studios such as Netflix, Lionsgate, and Disney are increasingly adopting AI technologies for various aspects of production, many actors express concerns about job displacement, intellectual property, and the potential for their images to be replicated without proper consent or compensation.
Cage has been vocal about his apprehension regarding AI before. In November 2023, he described it to Yahoo! Entertainment as "a nightmare." He further elaborated on his discomfort, stating, "It's inhuman," and adding, "you can't get more inhuman than artificial intelligence." His current stand against Amazon is a concrete manifestation of these deeply held beliefs.
This development comes at an interesting time, as Cage's upcoming film, Madden, is set to be released on Prime Video in November 2026. His public declaration against Amazon's AI practices sets a precedent and could inspire other prominent Hollywood figures to take a similar stance, further shaping the ongoing conversation about technology's future in the entertainment industry.
