Emily Blunt Calls AI Actress Tilly Norwood ‘Really Scary’, Warns Hollywood Agencies: ‘Don’t Do That’

During a promotional event for 'The Smashing Machine', Emily Blunt expressed concerns about AI-generated actors like Tilly Norwood, urging talent agencies to maintain human connection in the entertainment industry. Her views highlight the ongoing debate about AI's role in acting.

Emily Blunt has expressed concerns about the emergence of AI-generated performers and urged talent agencies to refrain from signing such digital actors, emphasising the importance of maintaining human interaction. Her comments came in response to the debut of Tilly Norwood, an AI-created actress by Particle 6, which has sparked debate within the entertainment industry.

Blunt's reaction was echoed by other Hollywood figures who also voiced their apprehension regarding Tilly Norwood's introduction. During a conversation with Variety at a promotional event for her film, The Smashing Machine, Blunt remarked on the unsettling nature of this development, stating, "Does it disappoint me? I don't know how to quite answer it, other than to say how terrifying this is. Good Lord, we're screwed. That is really, really scary. Come on, agencies, don't do that. Please stop. Please stop taking away our human connection. They want her to be the next Scarlett Johansson. But we have Scarlett Johansson."

AI Actress Sparks Debate in Entertainment Industry

Eline Van Der Velden, founder and CEO of Particle 6, defended her creation at the Zurich Film Festival's Zurich Summit Conference. She described Tilly Norwood as "a new tool, a new paintbrush" and likened her to a piece of art rather than a replacement for human actors. In an Instagram post, Van Der Velden elaborated on her perspective.

"To those who have expressed anger over the creation of our Al character, Tilly Norwood: she is not a replacement for a human being but a creative work, a piece of many forms of art before her; she sparks conversation and that in itself shows the power of creativity," she wrote. "I see Al not as a replacement for people but as a new tool, a new paintbrush."

AI as an Artistic Tool

Van Der Velden further explained that creating Tilly was akin to drawing or writing a role and required significant skill and time. She emphasised that AI characters should be judged on their own merits rather than compared directly with human actors. "Creating Tilly has been, for me, an act of imagination and craftsmanship," she stated.

Emily Blunt stars alongside Dwayne Johnson in "The Smashing Machine," portraying Dawn Staples opposite MMA fighter Mark Kerr. Directed by Benny Safdie, the film premiered at both Venice and Toronto Film Festivals.

The introduction of AI characters like Tilly Norwood continues to stir discussions about their role in entertainment. While some view them as innovative tools for storytelling, others worry about their impact on traditional acting roles and human connection within the industry.