Screenwriter Paul Schrader—who’s responsible for cinematic classics like “Taxi Driver” and “Raging Bull”—is the latest Hollywood heavy-hitter to embrace AI in his work. But his reason for it is causing more of a stir than he might have imagined.
The famed writer-director recently shared his plan to use AI actors in his upcoming film, “Three Guns At Dawn,” in an interview with The Playlist. He said he decided to do so because he couldn’t find Black actors interested in the part.
“I had originally written it about three Black brothers, all of whom are bad guys: a corrupt cop, a drug dealer, and a sexual criminal,” Schrader said. “And they were all trying to kill each other. And Antoine Fuqua was going to produce it. We sent it out to actors, and no Black actors wanted to play in a movie where there are no good Black people.”
Related: Black Icons Who Paved the Way for the Next Generation
Ummmm…OK? That’s not entirely true, but continue.
“But then AI came along, and I didn’t need Black actors. Some people say it’s coming. Some people say it’s here. People are upset about it, and I can understand why. Musicians are getting hit first. Then actors,” Schrader explained.
He went on to compare the increased use of AI to the rise of photography in the 19th century. He noted that naysayers were similar to “portrait painters saying, “‘We have to stop photography, or we’re going to be out of a job.’”
“And the answer is, ‘You are out of a job,’” Schrader continued.
So wait, let us get this straight: You had a script about a corrupt cop, a drug dealer, and a sex criminal who you imagined to all be played by Black actors, and not a single person wanted to take you up on it?
We find it hard to believe, considering the success of films and shows like “Training Day,” “Snowfall,” “Power,” “American Gangster,” “Hustlers,” and others that involve the same types of characters and were able to attract heavy-hitting actors like Denzel Washington, Damson Idris, Omari Hardwick, Keke Palmer, and more.
Maybe the problem wasn’t that “no Black actors wanted a part in a movie where there are no good Black people” (there’s literally a movie about a Black muslim hitman about to hit theaters soon), but rather the quality of the script, the storyline, the character arcs, or scheduling? Or maybe it was the flippant attitude and quick diversion to using AI rather than going through the audition process to find the right actors to bring this vision to life.
Whatever excuse Schrader has clearly isn’t good enough for us, and judging by some of the reactions online, it wasn’t good for folks in these social media streets, either.
Fellow director Boots Riley (“Sorry to Bother You” and “I Love Boosters”) condemned Schrader for his words, penning on X/Twitter: “I’m f*ing furious at every aspect of this. If this is a practical joke- he got me. As I said b4- Paul Schrader’s Blue Collar was an anti-organized labor movie put out near the end of a huge strike wave. Schrader put out, ‘unions are corrupt!’ agreeing with the bosses of the time.”
He later added in a follow-up post, “And as a director who has just made a movie where all three Black leads are criminals, I’ll tell you that this- ‘According to Schrader, Black actors rejected the original version because all three of its Black protagonists were criminals’ is a F*ING lie.”
“I’ve seen some garbage defenses of AI, but this might just take the cake when it comes to being the worst. Jesus Christ,” said another.
One other user questioned, “Why would you even make a movie like that? What agenda are you trying to push?
Added another: “I feel like Paul Schrader needs to take a ride with Denzel in Training Day—because EVERY good actor wants to play a complicated character with nuance & if you can’t find a Black actor to do that, then that’s a *you problem* maybe you’re just a failure masquerading as a director.”
One person pointed out the sad irony and desensitization of using AI, writing on X: “So he has a movie where every Black person is a villain, and allegedly couldn’t find Black actors, so he’s using GenAI avatars of real Black people whose faces were stolen by AI programs.”
