An upcoming biopic about the creator of Bitcoin, tentatively titled Killing Satoshi, will utilize artificial intelligence to construct filming locations and refine actors’ performances, according to reports from 2026. The film, announced in 2025, stars Casey Affleck and Pete Davidson and is directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, The Edge of Tomorrow).
AI Takes Center Stage in Bitcoin Biopic
The production will leverage generative AI to build sets and tweak performances, raising questions about the future of filmmaking.
- Producers reserve the right to alter actors’ performances using AI and machine learning.
- Filming will occur on a “markerless performative capture stage” with AI-generated backgrounds.
- The use of AI in the film is sparking debate about acceptable practices in the entertainment industry.
A casting notice viewed by reporters reveals that the producers of Killing Satoshi retain the right to “change, add to, take from, translate, reformat or reprocess” actors’ work, employing “generative artificial intelligence (GAI) and/or machine learning technologies.” While the production won’t create digital replicas of the performers, substantial AI-driven adjustments are anticipated. Furthermore, the film’s settings will be entirely AI-generated, shot on a “markerless performative capture stage.”
What role will AI play in the future of filmmaking, and how will it impact the creative process? The decision to employ these techniques for a film centered around blockchain technology is, admittedly, a bit puzzling. Liman, however, has a history of ambitious projects, including a previously reported collaboration with Tom Cruise that aimed to film scenes on the International Space Station.
The use of AI in film production is becoming increasingly common, but Killing Satoshi appears to be pushing the boundaries of what’s currently considered standard practice.
The film’s approach to AI comes as actors’ unions grapple with protecting their members from potential displacement by the technology. A key issue during SAG-AFTRA’s 2023 contract negotiations was securing safeguards for actors against AI-driven replacements. Equity, the UK-based union representing performers, is currently negotiating similar protections, addressing concerns about the unauthorized reproduction of likenesses and voices.
Union Negotiations and AI Protections
Concerns are growing that studios might utilize AI to replicate actors’ appearances and voices without their consent, potentially leading to exploitation. The ongoing negotiations between Equity and industry representatives aim to establish clear guidelines and prevent such scenarios.
Killing Satoshi is poised to be a fascinating, and potentially controversial, case study in the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and the art of filmmaking.
