Steven Soderbergh to Direct Spanish-American War Epic 'Ascenso' Using Generative AI to Cut Production Costs
Key Takeaways
- ▸Steven Soderbergh plans to use generative AI extensively in "Ascenso," a Spanish-American War film, to reduce production costs and enable financing
- ▸The director is actively seeking studio financing and additional cast members to complement Wagner Moura's attachment to the project
- ▸Soderbergh has become an advocate for AI as a creative tool, using generative imagery in his documentary work and positioning it as essential to modern filmmaking economics
Summary
Acclaimed filmmaker Steven Soderbergh has revealed plans to direct "Ascenso," a film about the Spanish-American War, with actor Wagner Moura attached to star. In an interview with Filmmaker Magazine, Soderbergh indicated that he will use "a lot of AI" in the production to manage costs and bring the rarely-filmed historical story to the screen. The director is currently in talks with two studios about financing and is working to assemble a recognizable cast, as he believes name talent is essential to draw audiences to theaters in today's challenging theatrical landscape.
Soderbergh has increasingly embraced AI as a creative tool in recent projects, including using generative imagery for a nearly-completed John Lennon and Yoko Ono documentary. The move reflects broader industry trends of filmmakers experimenting with AI to control budgets while maintaining creative vision. Despite recent commercial disappointments with "Black Bag" and a cancelled "Star Wars" project, Soderbergh appears poised to move forward with "Ascenso" as a significant next chapter in his prolific career.
- The project reflects challenges facing original filmmaking in theatrical distribution, with Soderbergh arguing that recognizable talent and controlled budgets are critical to attracting audiences
