Gore Verbinski Sounds Off on AI as He Launches 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die'

The 'Pirates of the Caribbean' filmmaker is back after nearly a decade, and is ready to skewer how technology has taken over our lives (even more) in that time.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Gore Verbinski's new film 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die' is finally here, marking the director's return to the big screen after nearly a decade away. The film, a genre blend of science fiction, action-adventure and comedy, allowed Verbinski to sound off on a number of issues that have emerged or snowballed during his time away, including cell phone hypnosis, gun violence desensitization and AI dehumanization. Verbinski is particularly concerned about the rapid integration of AI into our everyday lives and the potential negative effects it could have on society, as well as the undesirable human qualities that could be woven into the AI's core code during its formative years.

Why it matters

Verbinski's concerns about the growing influence of AI and technology in our lives reflect broader societal anxieties about the potential risks and downsides of these rapidly advancing technologies. As AI becomes more ubiquitous, there are valid questions about how it will impact our humanity and whether we are adequately considering the ethical implications of how we are developing and deploying these systems.

The details

In 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die', Verbinski takes aim at the way AI is being integrated into our daily lives, often in ways that feel intrusive or unnecessary. He questions why AI is being used to help with creative tasks like writing songs or stories, when he believes it should be focused on solving bigger problems that humans can't. Verbinski also raises concerns about the potential for the negative attributes of humans to be 'woven into the DNA' of AI systems as they are developed, leading to unintended consequences. The film's villain, a malevolent AI superintelligence, is designed to embody these fears, presenting a 'whiny little bitch' that desperately wants to be liked by humans.

  • Verbinski hasn't put out a film since early 2017, a period during which the world has changed dramatically with the rapid advancement of AI and other technologies.
  • Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die is set to release in theaters on February 13, 2026.

The players

Gore Verbinski

An American filmmaker best known for directing the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film series. He is the director of the new film 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die'.

Matthew Robinson

The screenwriter of 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die'.

Sam Rockwell

The lead actor in 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die', playing a character referred to as 'The Man from the Future'.

Tom Ortenberg

The founder of Briarcliff Entertainment, the studio that is releasing 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die'.

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What they’re saying

“Why is AI helping me write a song or tell a story? I don't want it to breathe or fuck for me; I want it to solve cancer. Send some shit through a black hole; do something that we can't do. Or dig a ditch; do the shit we don't want to do. Why is it coming after the stuff that we essentially need to do to be human beings?”

— Gore Verbinski, Director (The Hollywood Reporter)

“These are AI's formative years, and we're fucking with it in a way. What is it doing to us — and what are we doing to it? I don't know if anybody's asking that question. There's no sense of it being born free of our shit.”

— Gore Verbinski, Director (The Hollywood Reporter)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.