OpenAI joins the production of an AI-based animated series

OpenAI announced on September 8 that it is participating in the production of a feature-length animated film using artificial intelligence (AI), with the ambition to prove that this technology can revolutionize Hollywood by shortening the timeline and cutting costs.

The film, titled “Critterz,” revolves around the adventures of creatures living in the forest after their peaceful village is invaded and disturbed by a stranger.

According to the producers, the film is expected to premiere at the Cannes International Film Festival in May 2026, before being released widely worldwide.

The project has a budget of less than 30 million USD and a production time of only 9 months, while "blockbuster" animated films usually "eat" from 100-200 million USD and take about 3 years to develop.

“Critterz” started out as a short film three years ago, created by Chad Nelson, a creative director at OpenAI, using the DALL-E image generator. Now, Nelson has teamed up with Vertigo Films (based in London, UK) and Native Foreign (based in Los Angeles, US) to turn the project into a feature film.

The production of “Critterz” will be a combination of humans and AI. Sketchers will be fed into OpenAI’s models, including GPT-5 and image generation systems; voice actors will bring the characters to life. The script will be written by a team of writers who worked on the hit animated film “Paddington in Peru.”

The project comes as Hollywood and AI companies are locked in a bitter legal battle over copyright. Many “big names” such as Disney, Universal and Warner Bros. Discovery have sued the company Midjourney, accusing their models of being trained illegally on copyrighted characters.

Funding for “Critterz” comes from Vertigo’s parent company, Federation Studios (based in Paris, France). The roughly 30 participants will share profits under a specialized remuneration model.

“Critterz” is not the first animated film to use generative AI. In 2024, audiences witnessed the release of “DreadClub: Vampire’s Verdict,” considered the first AI-animated film, made on a budget of $405 million. Along with that was “Where the Robots Grow.”

These products, as well as the short film “Critterz,” received mixed reactions, with many critics questioning whether AI technology is capable of creating high-quality cinematic works that can touch the audience’s emotions./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/openai-tham-gia-san-xuat-phim-hoat-hinh-dai-tap-ung-dung-ai-post1060770.vnp