Moonmax Unveils AI-Assisted Captain Hook Origin Story

The AI studio is expanding into mainstream film production with a slate of projects blending human talent and AI technology.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:43am

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A striking black silhouette of a pirate ship's mast and rigging, with a jagged, angular design that evokes the dramatic, high-stakes nature of the Captain Hook origin story.Moonmax's AI-assisted Captain Hook origin story blends human craft and cutting-edge technology to reimagine a classic literary villain.Today in Miami

AI studio Moonmax has announced a new slate of film projects, including an AI-assisted feature based on the origin story of Captain James Hook from J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan. The company is also developing adaptations of literary properties and an original children's film that blends traditional and AI-powered animation techniques.

Why it matters

Moonmax's move into more mainstream film production signals the growing integration of AI technology in the entertainment industry, as studios explore new ways to enhance storytelling and production workflows. The Captain Hook project in particular highlights how AI can be used to reimagine classic characters and narratives.

The details

The Captain Hook project, titled 'James,' will employ a hybrid motion-to-video production workflow that captures real human performances while integrating AI. Moonmax is also developing 'People of the Wolf,' a hybrid live-action/AI adaptation of a bestselling book series, and 'Snowbear,' an original children's film that blends hand-drawn illustrations with AI-powered image-to-video technology.

  • Moonmax unveiled its expanded film production slate in April 2026.

The players

Moonmax

An AI studio known for its educational courses and workshops, Moonmax is now expanding into mainstream film production with a slate of projects that blend human talent and AI technology.

Elliot Grove

The founder of the British Independent Film Awards and Raindance Film Festival, Grove will serve as an executive producer on Moonmax's AI-assisted Captain Hook origin story, 'James'.

Daniel Gordon

The CEO of Moonmax and Head of AI at Raindance Film Festival and the American Film Market, Gordon believes the future of filmmaking will be a hybrid of human craft and AI technology.

Kathleen Gear

The co-author of the New York Times bestselling book series 'North America's Forgotten Past,' Gear's work is being adapted by Moonmax into the hybrid live-action/AI film 'People of the Wolf'.

Michael Gear

The co-author of the New York Times bestselling book series 'North America's Forgotten Past,' Gear's work is being adapted by Moonmax into the hybrid live-action/AI film 'People of the Wolf'.

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What they’re saying

“While we're bullish about the possibilities, we do believe the future will be hybrid, not fully AI. I think the best creative projects will be those that prioritise human craft and talent: developing stories before even touching a computer, before bringing in AI selectively for execution.”

— Daniel Gordon, CEO, Moonmax

What’s next

Moonmax is expected to provide more details on the production timelines and release plans for its upcoming slate of AI-assisted film projects in the coming months.

The takeaway

Moonmax's move into mainstream film production with a focus on blending human creativity and AI technology signals a broader industry trend towards exploring new ways to enhance storytelling and production workflows. As studios continue to experiment with AI, the success of projects like the Captain Hook origin story will help shape the future of AI's role in the entertainment industry.