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As much as Silicon Valley, lobbyists, and power-hungry, greedy executives would want you to believe AI is an inevitable future, we have finally reached the point where the court of public opinion is having real sway in the use of AI — at least when it comes to Hollywood. This is to say, keep using "clanker" (the term clone soldiers used to refer to battle droids in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars") as a derogatory term for robots and AI, and keep calling it out as something bad whenever a studio threatens to use the environment-killing tech.

Case in point, Disney had not one but two big attempts to include AI in big-budget, big-profile movies shut down for fear of repercussion (both legal and from the public's opinion). The news comes from the Wall Street Journal, in a report about Disney attempting to get around the busy schedule of Dwayne Johnson...

Disney briefly explored integrating advanced AI technology into two major upcoming live-action films—Moana and Tron: Ares—only to ultimately scrap both initiatives due to legal, creative, and ethical concerns.

Deepfake Idea for Moana

For the live-action Moana remake, Disney considered using AI to deepfake actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s face onto his cousin Tanoai Reed, who would serve as his body double.

Johnson wanted to reduce the days he needed to appear on set, and had approved the concept, but the complicated technology required extensive negotiations with AI partner Metaphysic. After approximately 18 months, Disney decided not to include any of the AI-generated footage in the final film.

AI Character Plan for Tron: Ares

Disney also reportedly discussed using generative AI to bring the character “Bit” to life in Tron: Ares. Bit would be a possible companion to Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges).

The plan involved feeding character context to an AI script,...

For decades, sci-fi films have been using AI and the rise of technology as a villain, theorizing what could happen if robots could become sentient. However, few films tackling the rise of technology saw it take over creative jobs.

However, that has been happening more often than not. Although films and shows openly using AI have been receiving backlash from the public, more studios are looking into it, even Disney. Per a recent report from The Wall Street Journal, The Walt Disney Company recently considered digitally cloning Dwayne Johnson for the upcoming live-action Moana film.

Following the success of Moana in 2016, the studio didn't know how to continue the Polynesian Disney Princess' story. Initially, there were plans to continue Moana's story as a television series, which was later turned into a feature sequel that grossed over $1 billion at the box office last year. Ahead of the sequel, Disney had...

The live-action Moana movie almost included an AI deepfake of Dwayne Johnson, which the actor himself signed off on. Released in 2016, the animated original Moana became a massive success, especially on Disney+ in the years after its theatrical bow.

Following the release of an animated sequel last fall, Disney is now set to continue the franchise with an upcoming live-action Moana remake, with Johnson reprising his role as Maui. Catherine Laga'aia will take on the title role in the film, which is directed by Thomas Kail.

A new report from The Wall Street Journal now sheds some light on the live-action Moana's production, revealing that Disney had plans to collaborate with Metaphysic to create deepfakes of Johnson's face. This deepfake would then be layered on top of a performance by Tanoai Reed, Johnson's similarly sized cousin.

The deepfake would only have been used in a "small number" of shots,...

When Disney started working on the live-action version of “Moana,” they came up with an unusual idea to handle Dwayne Johnson’s role as Maui. Instead of having Johnson on set for every scene, the studio planned to use his cousin, Tanoai Reed, as a body double for some shots. Reed is a good match, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 250 pounds, just like Johnson.

The twist was that Disney wanted to use AI technology from a company called Metaphysic to create deepfake images of Johnson’s face.

These digital images would be layered over Reed’s performance, creating a “digital double” that could let Johnson appear in two places at once. Johnson agreed to the idea, but Disney’s legal team raised a lot of concerns.

According to The Wall Street Journal, lawyers at Disney worried about data security and who would own the rights to the parts of the movie made using AI.

When Disney started making the live-action version of “Moana,” they had an interesting idea about how to handle Dwayne Johnson’s role as Maui. Instead of having Johnson on set all the time, the studio planned to use his cousin, Tanoai Reed, as a body double for some scenes. Reed is also very muscular, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 250 pounds, so he was a good fit for the job.

The plan was to use AI technology from a company called Metaphysic to create deepfake images of Johnson’s face that could be put over Reed’s performance. This digital double would let Johnson be “in two places at once,” making filming more flexible.

Johnson was on board with the plan, but Disney’s lawyers had many concerns. They spent a lot of time working out how to use the new technology safely. There were worries about data security and questions about...

Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot took center stage Nov. 5 as they brought their splashy Netflix movie Red Notice to downtown L.A. for its premiere. But among the A-listers on the red carpet, it was another face that turned heads, maybe even causing a few double takes. Like he does everywhere he goes, Tanoai Reed stood out.

Built like Johnson (a distant cousin) and with the same amiable features, 6-foot-3 stuntman Reed has been by Johnson’s side for 20 years as the actor became one of the biggest (and busiest) stars in the world. Along the way, Reed, 47, has ...

Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot took center stage Nov. 5 as they brought their splashy Netflix movie Red Notice to downtown L.A. for its premiere. But among the A-listers on the red carpet, it was another face that turned heads, maybe even causing a few double takes. Like he does everywhere he goes, Tanoai Reed stood out.

Built like Johnson (a distant cousin) and with the same amiable features, 6-foot-3 stuntman Reed has been by Johnson’s side for 20 years as the actor became one of the biggest (and busiest) stars in the world. Along the way, Reed, 47, has ...

The season of giving continues!

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson revealed on Saturday that he gave his mom Ata a new house for Christmas.

“Surprise! Bought my mom a new home for Christmas,” the actor, 46, captioned an Instagram video of his mother receiving a “golden ticket” that entitles her to any house she wants, wherever she wants.

In the video, Ata, 70, opens a card with the ticket and starts to read it before crying tears of joy and hugging her son.

“Guess what?” she says to her granddaughter Jasmine, 3. “I get a brand-new house!”...

Dwayne Johnson not only has one of the biggest physiques in Hollywood, he apparently also has one of the biggest hearts to go with it.  Johnson paid it forward to his long-time stuntman and cousin Tanoai Reed by buying him a decked out pick-up truck. 

In a recent instagram post, Johnson posted a video showing the reveal(below) and thanked his long time stunt partner for all the blood he's spilled and bones he's broken over the years of being his stunt double.

"Surprise! I love handing over keys...

Just when you thought Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson couldn't get any more likable, he did this. The actor wanted to thank his cousin Tanoai Reed for being his stunt double for the past 17 years, and decided to surprise him with a souped up truck that he paid for out of pocket. 

Granted, for The Rock this car was probably a scratch in his bank account, but for his cousin it looks like this meant everything to him. Watch the video, and get that warm fuzzy feeling all over but also wish you had a famous cousin who bought you expensive things: ...

Dwayne Johnson truly has a heart of gold, and his latest act is a testament to his generosity. On Monday, the actor posted a heartwarming video of him surprising his stunt double cousin Tanoai Reed with a custom pickup truck, thanking him for all of his hard work throughout the years. "My stunt double (and cousin) Tanoai Reed has broken multiple bones, severed tendons, torn ligaments, and just been an overall dominating bad ass," Dwayne wrote. "I had this custom pickup truck delivered just in time to surprise him (he's still recovering from a stunt injury)." Things got even more emotional when Tanoai shed a few tears after the big surprise.

Dwayne is no stranger to gifting cars. Back in 2015, the actor gave his uncle a truck for Christmas, and earlier this year, he surprised his dad with a Cadillac after he underwent hip-replacement surgery. Where can we sign up...

Dwayne Johnson really knows how to return a favor!  The Hollywood actor gave a very special gift to his cousin and stunt double Tanoai Reed. Johnson posted a video of the surprise on Instagram where he tricks his cousin into thinking they are shooting behind-the-scenes footage for their latest film together Skyscraper. Ultimately, he had a big present up his sleeves. "Surprise! I love handing over keys. I love you brother and enjoy your new truck!  Over the course of my career, my stunt double (and cousin) Tanoai Reed @samoanstuntman has broken multiple bones, severed tendons, torn ligaments & just been an overall dominating bad ass achieving several 'Stuntman of the...

Looks like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s stunt double will have a sweet ride to his doctor’s appointments in the future.

“Skyscraper” star rewarded his stunt double and cousin, Tanoai Reed, for all his hard work and physical suffering, surprising Reed with a new custom truck in an exchange that was shared in a video on Johnson’s Instagram page.

“Surprise! I love handing over keys,” Johnson wrote. “I love you brother and enjoy your new truck!”

Also Read: Dwayne Johnson: Feud With Tyrese Over 'Fast & Furious' Spinoff Is 'One-Sided'

Johnson continued, “Over the course of my career, my stunt double (and cousin) Tanoai Reed @samoanstuntman has broken multiple bones, severed tendons, torn ligaments & just been an overall dominating bad ass achieving several ‘Stuntman of the Year’ honors. All done with one goal in mind – deliver the best movie possible to the world.”

As explained...

This may not be news for the specific subset of readers who are deeply plugged in to the stunt-double community—which, according to the laws of the internet, someone out there must be—but hopefully the rest of you will be as delighted as we were to discover that Tanoai Reed, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s stuntman of…

Read more...

Sneak Peek actor Jason Momoa's directorial debut feature, the character-driven drama "Road to Paloma", available from WWE Studios and Anchor Bay Films, on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand July 15, 2014, starring Momoa, Tye Alexander, Lisa Bonet, Chris Browning, Charlie Brumbly, Tanoai Reed, Sarah Shahi, Wes Studi, and Michael Raymond-James:

...'Road to Paloma' follows a Native American on the run after avenging his mother's murder. 

"As he flees across the desolate American West on his motorcycle, he'll discover that justice has a cost and his search for redemption will reveal secrets and take him on a journey where the roads have some very unexpected turns..."

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Road To Paloma"...

Directed by: Robert Clouse

Written by: S. Lee Pogostin, Sylvia Schneble

Cast: Joe Don Baker, Elizabeth Ashley, Ann Sothern, Jim Kelly, Burgess Meredith

When one thinks of martial art film stars, the names that come to mind probably won't include Joe Don Baker. While the beefy American actor could carry an action film (as he did in Walking Tall), his stature and fighting style isn't associated with the techniques we expect in a martial arts movie.

But then, despite any expectations, Golden Needles isn't a martial arts film. Sure, a bulk of the action takes place in Hong Kong and we get a few moments of kung fu fighting (courtesy of Jim Kelly and Frances Fong). But the movie is more a mystery than a martial arts showcase and it's best to go into the film not expecting a repeat of director Robert Clouse's two previous films, Enter the Dragon and Black Belt Jones.

Even if you don’t follow Mixed Martial Arts or Mma-themed movies, you’ve seen the big body, crazy hair and menacing face of Kimbo Slice. He’s popped into popular culture as a Mr. T lookalike, contestant on Ufc Ultimate Fighter reality show, computer protection commercials and more since surfacing as a street fighter in YouTube videos.

Like many Mma fighters, he’s also breaking into acting. Nothing too serious but with his natural charisma which has captivated fans beyond his record in the ring, he’s bound to keep on punching his way to more roles.

Michael Jai White and Kimbo Slice on set of Blood and Bone

Kimbo Slice recently appeared alongside Michael Jai White in ‘Blood and Bone.’ In this clip … Michael Jai White talks about ‘Blood and Bone’, his character Bone, the plot of the film, and what he thinks makes a good movie interspersed...

Check out this brand new exclusive video from the set of ‘Blood and Bone‘ starring Michael Jai White.

He takes the time to talk about his new film with MovieSet, so check out awesome action clips spliced into the interview, and hear what White has to say about his character Bone, the plot of the film, and what he thinks makes a good movie.

Ex-con Isaiah Bone is the new force in La’s underground street fighting scene. When he takes down the reigning champ, the local mob boss wants to enter Bone in a series of high-stakes international matches. Bone’s refusal sets off an explosive showdown between two powerful enemies with everything at stake. Also starring Julian Sands, Eamonn Walker, Ron Yuan plus some of the fiercest mixed martial arts superstars including Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson, Bob “The Beast” Sapp, Tanoai Reed, Gina Carano and Ernest “The Cat” Miller.

Close your eyes and imagine you are in a producer’s office. “The kids are going crazy for these vampires! It’s like, an unquenchable thirst with them or something? We gotta’ make a Vampire picture and we’re gonna need a bankable star. I know - Steven Segal!” And, thus, Against the Dark came into the world. In this scene we can see someone who isn’t Steven Segal (it is actually Tanoai Reed, better known to the world as The Rock’s cousin) facing off a swarm...well, okay, a few growling and angry Vampires. Enjoy!

Hitting DVD today is Against the Dark , the horror-actioner that pits the mighty Steven Seagal against vampires in a post-apocalyptic scenario. If you're unsure whether it's a "buy" or a "rent" feast on the four clips we're currently hosting in our database . You'll find the trailer, synopsis and cover art there as well. Directed by Richard Crudo, the film co-stars Tanoai Reed, Emma Catherwood, Jenna Harrison and Skye Bennett.

There's something odd about the recent wave of "vampire" and "zombie" films that claim to be one or the other, while in reality are neither. In Richard Crudo's directorial debut Against The Dark aka the much-discussed "Steven Seagal Vs. Vampires" flick, the creatures found within are said to be "vampires" (per the film's marketing), but really aren't - in a kind of I Am Legend sort of way.

Note: This review does contain Spoilers, so beware if you choose to read on...

The film starts off with a definition of the word "infected" on the screen, complimented by a voice-over explaining that the world has become overrun by some sort of viral plague a la 28 Days Later. We get a curious mix of stock footage likely culled from the Sony Pictures libary that not only spans multiple locations, but also several decades. I have to admit pausing the DVD...

Steven Seagal has extended his 3-word titled movies into the horror genre in a new movie by Sony Home Entertainment called "Against The Dark". Synopsis: Katana master Tao (Steven Seagal) leads a special ops squad of ex-military vigilantes on a massacre mission, their target: vampires. On the post apocalyptic globe, sucked dry by bloodthirsty vampires, a few remaining survivors are trapped in an infected hospital. Tao is their only hope and he knows the only cure is execution. Now it's time for the last stand against the flesh-eating vampires and there's nothing left to lose but the last of humanity. The film also stars Dwayne .The Rock. Johnson's cousin, Tanoai Reed (TV's "American Gladiators"), as well as fan favorite Keith David ("Crash", "The Chronicles Of Riddick"), Skye...

The great website DVD Active has unveiled the artwork for two Sony DVD releases arriving in February that seemed to have caused a bit of a stir: Screamers: The Hunting and the Steven Seagal vampire hunting flick Against The Dark.

One look at the box art for Against the Dark and you can clearly see Steven Seagal (with his katana sword of doom) is being touted as the star of this tale of commandos battling mutant vampires on the loose in a hospital. Hate to be the one to splash some cold water on everyone but from looking into this movie everything I've found seems to indicate that Seagal's role is a relatively minor one. Unless something changed, from my research, the real star of the film is the guy played "Toa" on the new "American Gladiators" and Seagal's role is slightly more than a glorified cameo being used to help market the movie.

He's not falling head over heels for a golden-eyed, handsome bloodsucker in the environs of Forks, Washington. No sir, Steven Seagal doesn't have time for Twilight -inspired love affairs. He's got his adept hands tied kicking vampire ass in the upcoming Against the Dark . Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release the action horror film, formerly known as Last Night , on DVD February 10th. Cinematographer Richard Crudo ( American Pie ) makes his directorial debut with Against which also stars Tanoai Reed (best known as The Rock's stunt double) and Skye Bennett ( Dark Floors ). Open wide, here comes the official synopsis: Katana master Tao (Steven Seagal) leads a special ops squad of ex-military vigilantes on a massacre mission, their target: vampires. On the...