When the company behind the Las Vegas Sphere announced its plans to create an immersive version of The Wizard of Oz using generative artificial intelligence (AI) in April, it sparked curiosity and excitement among many. Veteran film advocates, including Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz, advanced this creativity with their support. However, the project, which opened in August 2025, has also seen a wave of backlash. Critics label the AI-driven adaptation as “soulless” and allege it’s “on the wrong side of film history.”
This unique take on the film aims to transform the classic story, altering how fans engage with it. By utilizing generative AI, the adaptation expands the visual landscape presented on the Sphere’s impressive 160,000 square foot LED display. This ambitious 4DX project, which carries a hefty price tag of $100 million, features 167,000 sound speakers and even cuts out around thirty minutes of the original film. This bold endeavor raises questions about the preservation of classic cinema and how technology can reshape traditional narratives.
In recent years, AI has woven itself into the fabric of major film and television productions, becoming increasingly prevalent. Earlier in 2025, actress Natasha Lyonne sparked controversy after unveiling plans for her directorial debut, Uncanny Valley, which will blend traditional filmmaking with AI techniques through her newly founded AI-focused production company. Additionally, Harmony Korine’s film studio, EDGLRD, struck deals with Runway, a firm specializing in AI for film. Notably, two Best Picture nominees for the upcoming Academy Awards, The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez, have stirred debate due to their use of AI to enhance actors’ vocal performances.
This rise in AI’s influence coincides with heightened scrutiny surrounding the rights of performers. The aftermath of the most recent Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike, which concluded in November 2023, resulted in protections for actors against unauthorized replications of their likenesses through AI. The strike highlighted concerns about deepfake technology and its potential to exploit performers’ images and voices without consent. Similar discussions arose during the SAG-AFTRA video game strike in July, further focusing on AI’s implications in the industry.
Many voices in the critique of AI adaptations express concern that reimagining a beloved classic like The Wizard of Oz with AI tools reflects a troubling trajectory for the film industry. Critics argue that AI-generated performances can dangerously blur the line between respect for the original work and exploitation. The Las Vegas experience includes AI-generated appearances by deceased actors like Charley Grapewin, who portrayed Uncle Henry, raising ethical dilemmas about the authenticity and agency of these portrayals.
In a CBS Sunday Morning interview, Judy Garland’s daughter, Lorna Luft, expressed that her mother would likely have embraced this innovative approach, remarking, “I think that she would really think, ‘How wonderful that this is happening.’” Conversely, Liza Minnelli, Garland’s other daughter, has openly endorsed AI technology, previously supporting an app that simulated her mother’s voice for narrations. However, the fundamental question remains: how would legends like Garland and her contemporaries view their likenesses being generated by a technology that would have been unfathomable just a decade ago?
One critical provision from the SAG-AFTRA agreements requires obtaining consent from performers and their heirs for any digital or AI replications. In absence of such consent, production companies can seek union approval for “discretionary” use. Yet, non-union projects lack this requirement, presenting challenges for the industry regarding the ethical use of AI. This gap has prompted calls from industry entities like the Television Academy and talent agency WME for legislative action aimed at safeguarding all performers—union and non-union alike—against unauthorized uses of their images.
The push for comprehensive legal protection is illustrated by the introduction of the No Fakes Act. Supported by SAG-AFTRA, this proposed legislation aims to shield the likenesses and voices of individuals from unconsented AI-generated replicas, holding creators and corporations accountable. Notably, the bill has attracted bipartisan support, illustrating a growing consensus on the need for regulatory frameworks to catch up with advancing technology.
While these protections emerge, concerns extend beyond performers’ rights to encompass potential environmental impacts of AI. The extensive hardware requirements of generative AI technology demand significant energy resources, raising alarms about sustainability. As the entertainment industry continues to integrate AI into its processes, questions about resource consumption and environmental ramifications linger. SAG-AFTRA’s Chief Negotiator, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, has voiced these concerns, noting a deficiency in address from industry leaders regarding sustainable practices, further complicating the conversation surrounding AI’s role in filmmaking.
The unfolding narrative around AI in the film industry invites profound ethical inquiries. As opinions divide over projects like the immersive Wizard of Oz experience, it becomes clear that audience sentiment will influence the trajectory of AI’s integration. Consumers now wield considerable power in determining the commercial viability of such technologies, driving the conversation on ethical usage within the industry. Without a clear framework to guide the responsible use of generative AI, the boundary between ethical and unethical practices will likely remain nebulous.