Seth Rogen has a blunt message for screenwriters experimenting with artificial intelligence: Don’t bother. The actor and filmmaker told Brut at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday that writers who lean on AI to pen scripts should abandon the craft entirely. “If you use AI to write your stories or scripts, then you shouldn’t be a writer,” Rogen said. “I don’t understand what it’s supposed to do.”

Rogen’s remarks came during a discussion about AI’s growing role in Hollywood, a topic that has divided the industry. While some executives and creators see AI as a tool to streamline development, others view it as a threat to creative authenticity. The 41-year-old star of films like Superbad and Pineapple Express dismissed the idea that AI could replace human writers. “Every time I see a video on Instagram that’s like, ‘Hollywood is cooked,’ I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’” he said. “You’re making the same movies you’ve been making for 50 years.”

AI in Hollywood draws mixed reactions

The debate over AI in filmmaking has intensified as studios explore ways to cut costs and accelerate production. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has suggested AI could reduce scriptwriting expenses, while directors like Denis Villeneuve have warned it risks devaluing artistic labor. Rogen’s stance aligns with critics who argue AI lacks the emotional depth and originality of human storytelling.

During his Cannes remarks, Rogen also mocked viral claims that Hollywood is doomed by streaming competition and AI. “It’s the same stuff,” he said of the repetitive narrative. “People just want to make the same movies over and over again.” The actor, known for his comedies, implied that creativity—not technology—should drive filmmaking. His comments reflect broader skepticism among some industry figures about AI’s role in art.

Rogen’s Cannes appearance highlights industry tensions

Rogen’s comments add to a growing chorus of voices questioning AI’s place in creative industries. At Cannes, where films and debates dominate daily headlines, his remarks resonated with critics of the technology. Earlier this year, the Writers Guild of America approved a contract that limits AI’s use in writing credits, reflecting writers’ concerns about job displacement.

The Cannes Film Festival continues this week with screenings, premieres, and panel discussions on cinema’s future. Rogen, who is promoting his latest film, did not elaborate on how AI could be used positively in filmmaking. Instead, he emphasized the importance of human-driven storytelling, a sentiment likely to fuel ongoing industry conversations.

AI tools are already being tested in script analysis, dialogue suggestions, and even voice cloning for dubbing. Proponents argue these technologies can assist writers without replacing them. Yet Rogen’s dismissal underscores a divide: Some see AI as a helper, while others view it as a shortcut that undermines craft.

What happens next? The debate will likely intensify as AI tools become more advanced and accessible. Studios may continue testing them, but Rogen’s words serve as a reminder that creative industries value human talent above all.

With reporting from Cannes by Variety.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: Variety
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 20:07 UTC
  • Category: Entertainment
  • Topics: #variety · #movies · #hollywood · #entertainment · #seth-rogen-says · #you-use

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

A polêmica levantada pelo ator Seth Rogen no Festival de Cannes ganha contornos globais ao questionar o futuro da escrita criativa no cinema, com o uso de inteligência artificial para roteiros. Em entrevista ao canal Brut, Rogen afirmou que recorrer a IA para escrever scripts é sinal de que o profissional não leva sua arte a sério, um alerta que ressoa em um momento em que a tecnologia avança sem regulamentação clara no setor.

O debate sobre o uso de IA na produção audiovisual não é novo, mas a fala de Rogen chega em um contexto especialmente relevante para o Brasil, onde o cinema nacional luta por espaço em meio à concorrência de produções estrangeiras massivas. Com a crescente popularização de ferramentas de IA generativa, muitos roteiristas e diretores brasileiros já experimentam essas tecnologias, seja para rascunhos iniciais ou ajustes finos. A resistência de figuras como Rogen, que defende a escrita humana como ato de paixão e dedicação, coloca em xeque não só a qualidade artística, mas também a identidade cultural das obras, especialmente em um país onde a diversidade de vozes é fundamental para a representatividade.

Enquanto a indústria se divide entre inovação e tradição, a polêmica deve continuar alimentando discussões sobre ética e autoria, com a próxima edição do Festival de Cannes já sinalizando mais debates sobre o tema.