AI production studio Asteria revealed its first live-action feature, titled “Uncanny Valley,” which will also mark the feature directorial debut of studio co-founder Natasha Lyonne (“Poker Face,” “Russian Doll”) and will be made by combining AI tools with “traditional” filmmaking techniques. Asteria describes itself as an “artist-led, ethical AI film and animation studio.”
Lyonne and Brit Marling – co-creator and co-showrunner with Zal Batmanglij on “The OA” and “A Murder at the End of the World” – co-wrote the screenplay and will co-star. Set in a parallel present, “Uncanny Valley” follows Mila, a teenage girl who begins to lose her grip on reality as a globally popular augmented reality video game starts glitching feverishly with increasingly dangerous real-world consequences.
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The movie’s “open world video game” component will be co-created by Lyonne, Marling and virtual reality pioneer Jaron Lanier, involving Moonvalley’s “Marey” foundational AI model.
“The scope of what’s possible with these new technologies when used ethically and creatively is astounding,” said Lyonne. “Bringing something so bold to life feels radically expansive and exciting. I’m immensely grateful for this opportunity from Asteria and to witness this emerging era from the front lines.”
“Science fiction can be a powerful tool of resistance — imagining what could be instead of what is,” added Marling. “With Asteria’s team, we hope to pioneer ways to use AI that allow filmmakers to tell high-concept stories on budgets that allow for real innovation.”
Asteria CEO Bryn Mooser and Justin Lacob will serve as producers for Asteria, alongside Batmanglij, Marling and Lyonne. Lyonne’s Animal Pictures will produce with Asteria.
Asteria is also developing alongside Moonvalley a “clean” foundational model aimed at Hollywood.
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