Oscars consider AI rule change following ‘The Brutalist’ backlash
The Oscars have responded to the recent controversy surrounding previous ‘Best Picture’ favourite, The Brutalist, with a new investigation into existing regulations.
After the movie’s editor, Dávid Jancsó, disclosed that he used a piece artificial intelligence software to enhance accent pronunciation, the movie has faced intense backlash. Star Adrien Brody later scrambled to set the record straight: “I understand that we live in a time where even just the mention of AI is a bit triggering.”
It remains to be seen whether the artificial supplementation of his performance will put his ‘Best Actor’ Oscar nomination in jeopardy when the ceremony occurs on March 2nd.
Currently, the Oscars rules include optional disclosure of AI usage. In response to this saga, branch executive committees and award governors are reportedly leaning towards making disclosure mandatory in the 2026 Oscar rules, which are set to be published in April.
The Brutalist is not the only film to make use of AI tooling. High-profile films such as Dune: Part 2, Emilia Pérez and the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown have admitted to using AI tooling to enhance editorial efficiency. However, a spokesperson for Searchlight Pictures was quick to state that AI usage in A Complete Unknown did “not involve performance or creative enhancements”.
The potential rule amendment speaks to a wider discussion in film regarding the intermingling of artificial intelligence and human creativity. Important figures have weighed in on this topic. Tom Hanks recently defended the use of AI to de-age his character in 2024 fantasy film, Here.
In comparison, Nicholas Cage condemned the use of AI in comments most likely directed towards The Brutalist. “That is a dead end if an actor lets one AI robot manipulate his or her performance even a little bit, an inch will eventually become a mile and all integrity, purity and truth of art will be replaced by financial interests only,” he warned. “We can’t let that happen.”
If the Oscars do rectify their rules, it will be to introduce a nuanced and technically considered disclosure process. It has been reported that the Academy’s SciTech Council is already working on the recommended language for the rule change.
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