Nicolas Cage has announced he likely will not collaborate with Amazon Studios again following a disagreement over artificial intelligence usage during the production of “Spider-Noir.” Speaking at a panel on Saturday at the New York Comic Con, the actor criticized the streaming giant’s corporate stance on technology.
“Amazon is a very AI-friendly company, to the tune of $50 billion invested in OpenAI,” Cage said during the Empire Stage discussion. “I am not an AI-friendly actor, so it’s like, connect those dots! I’m not a member of their club. I didn’t sign the waiver to let him use AI on ‘Spider Noir.’ I’m probably not going to be working with that studio again, but that’s okay.”
The comments come shortly after Amazon canceled the superhero series following its first season, despite earning 11 Emmy nominations—the most for any Prime Video program this year. The show reportedly garnered 2.6 billion minutes viewed within its first six weeks and received strong reviews from critics and audiences alike.
Beyond his dispute with Amazon, Cage shared his enthusiasm for collaborating with a new generation of filmmakers. He specifically praised Kane Parsons, the director of the horror film “Backrooms,” noting that the filmmaker successfully transitioned from YouTube fame to a Hollywood career. The film recently became A24’s highest-grossing release, surpassing “Marty Supreme.”
“I got to get with these young directors who are Gen Z, and they’re going at it their own way, whether it’s through the YouTube culture or whatever it is,” Cage said. “They’re doing it from scratch and by hand. I want to get with that.”
Cage also hinted at his next major television project, confirming that he is set to star in a new season of “True Detective.” The role would mark his return to the prestige TV format after taking on his first leading television role in “Spider-Noir.”
“My agent’s out there somewhere listening,” Cage joked to the audience. “That’s okay that I’m the first to announce that, right?”
Does anyone else find it hilarious that the show got canceled despite being a massive hit? Typical corporate nonsense.
Finally, a star with actual principles. Protecting your humanity from corporate AI greed is worth fighting for.