Brad Bird’s influence on animation is undeniable, and now he’s speaking out about where the industry is headed. He’s particularly critical of the growing use of artificial intelligence and the constant push for sequels.
Brad Bird is Cautiously Optimistic About AI
Like all new technologies, AI comes with risks. The atomic bomb, for example, was devastating, but arguably contributed to a longer stretch of peace. So even something very negative can have unexpected benefits. Whether those benefits outweigh the risks is a difficult question, and I don’t have an answer.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how AI might change animation, and it’s not about replacing artists entirely. Imagine a lead animator still hand-drawing the key moments, but using AI to fill in the gaps – the ‘in-between’ frames. A human could then quickly refine the AI’s work. This wouldn’t necessarily mean fewer artists, but a more efficient team, allowing them to tackle more ambitious and original stories. Let’s face it, studios are often hesitant to fund anything that doesn’t feel ‘safe,’ and a more economical workflow could give them the breathing room to take those risks.
Brad Bird Wants More Original Animation in Hollywood
This brings Bird to another concern: the abundance of animated sequels. He admits some sequels are great – like The Empire Strikes Back – but worries they’re becoming overly dominant in filmmaking. He believes there shouldn’t be so many prequels, spin-offs, and follow-ups taking up all the creative energy.
It’s surprising to hear these comments considering how successful some of his films have been – they’ve even turned into profitable franchises for Disney and Pixar. This attitude might be the reason for his stance, though. He clarified that while he enjoys some sequels and prequels, he thinks Hollywood relies too much on what’s already known and isn’t willing to try new things.
According to Bird, creative thinking hasn’t disappeared. He believes studios are overlooking worthwhile new ideas because they’re too afraid of taking risks on things audiences might not immediately understand. He points out that creating something new always involves some uncertainty.
You know, this stubborn streak of his almost killed his latest project – it sat on the shelf for over thirty years! He first came up with the idea back in the mid to late ’80s, drawing inspiration from all sorts of things, and now it’s finally hitting Netflix this December. And get this – they’re doing a huge career retrospective for him at San Diego Comic-Con on July 23rd, with a panel in Hall H where they’ll be talking about Ray Gunn and all his other films. I’m so excited!
2026-07-24 02:05