Soderbergh Plans to Use 'A Lot of AI' for Upcoming Wagner Moura Film

The director is also utilizing AI in his John Lennon and Yoko Ono documentary.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:49am

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An abstract, high-contrast close-up image of a damaged, glittering film reel, conveying the conceptual fusion of traditional filmmaking and emerging digital technologies.Soderbergh's innovative use of AI in his upcoming projects signals a new era of technological experimentation in the film industry.Los Angeles Today

Acclaimed filmmaker Steven Soderbergh revealed that he plans to extensively use artificial intelligence (AI) technology for an upcoming movie starring Wagner Moura about the Spanish-American War. Soderbergh also noted that he has been employing AI in the creation of his forthcoming documentary on John Lennon and Yoko Ono, using it to generate 'thematically surreal images' that evoke a 'dream space.'

Why it matters

Soderbergh's embrace of AI in his filmmaking process signals a growing trend in the entertainment industry, as directors and producers explore new ways to leverage emerging technologies to enhance their creative visions. The use of AI in documentary filmmaking, in particular, raises questions about the role of technology in shaping historical narratives and the balance between human and machine-generated content.

The details

In a recent interview, Soderbergh stated that he is 'trying to get a movie made about the Spanish-American War' and plans to use 'a lot of AI' for the project, which will star Wagner Moura. The director explained that he is still in the process of casting the rest of the film, but is hopeful that securing the right ensemble will help 'eventize it' and drive audience interest. Soderbergh also revealed that he has been utilizing AI in the creation of his upcoming documentary on John Lennon and Yoko Ono, using the technology to generate 'thematically surreal images' that occupy a 'dream space' rather than a literal one, though he noted that the process 'desperately requires very close human supervision.'

  • Soderbergh discussed his plans for the Spanish-American War film and his use of AI in a recent interview with Filmmaker Magazine.

The players

Steven Soderbergh

An acclaimed American filmmaker known for directing movies such as 'Traffic,' 'Erin Brockovich,' and 'Ocean's Eleven.'

Wagner Moura

A Brazilian actor who is set to star in Soderbergh's upcoming film about the Spanish-American War.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of AI”

— Steven Soderbergh, Director

“AI has been helpful in creating thematically surreal images that occupy a dream space rather than a literal space. And that's been really fun because you need a Ph.D. in literature to tell it what to do. But like every other piece of technology, it desperately requires very close human supervision.”

— Steven Soderbergh, Director

What’s next

Soderbergh is currently in the process of casting the rest of the film about the Spanish-American War, which he hopes to get made with the right ensemble of actors.

The takeaway

Soderbergh's embrace of AI technology in his filmmaking process, both for a narrative feature and a documentary, highlights the growing influence of emerging technologies in the entertainment industry. As directors continue to experiment with AI and other tools, it will be important to monitor the balance between human and machine-generated content, as well as the implications for storytelling and historical representation.