The Walt Disney Company recently scrapped plans to use artificial intelligence technology in two highly anticipated films: the live-action remake of Moana and the upcoming sequel Tron: Ares. Despite initial approvals and production work, Disney ultimately decided the risks of legal complications and negative public reaction were too great to proceed.
According to reports from The Wall Street Journal and industry insiders, Disney planned to digitally recreate Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s likeness as a deepfake in the Moana remake. The approach involved layering an AI-generated face of Johnson over the body of his cousin, Tanoai Reed, a similarly sized stunt performer. This would have allowed Johnson to appear in certain shots without needing to be on set every day. Johnson had approved the concept, and the studio had worked on the technology and contracts with Metaphysic, the AI company involved, for over 18 months. However, legal concerns around owning the rights to AI-generated elements ultimately led to Disney abandoning the project[1][3][4].
Disney’s hesitation was driven primarily by fears the studio wouldn’t be able to fully control and claim ownership over AI-created content—a significant issue for a company historically protective of its intellectual property. Additionally, executives feared that using such AI deepfakes might result in negative publicity, potentially overshadowing the films themselves[4].
Similarly, for Tron: Ares, Disney explored using AI for a supporting character, an idea pitched as a “buzzy marketing strategy.” However, internal sources revealed the plan was scrapped early on due to concerns over public perception and risks of backlash. The company decided it “couldn’t risk the bad publicity” that might come with the prominent use of AI-generated characters in the film[4].
The live-action Moana remake, directed by Thomas Kail, stars Catherine Laga’aia as Moana, with Johnson reprising his role as Maui. The original animated film, released in 2016, was a huge success, and Disney has expanded the story with an animated sequel. The use of AI deepfakes would have been limited to a few shots, not the entire film, enabling Johnson to minimize his on-set time[1][2][3].
Disney’s move reflects an industry-wide caution toward integrating AI technologies in filmmaking, especially where ownership rights and audience reception remain uncertain. While AI has increasingly been used behind the scenes for visual effects and enhancements, directly generating or duplicating actors’ faces and performances presents complex ethical and legal challenges. Disney’s scrapping of these high-profile AI projects highlights the current limits of AI adoption in Hollywood despite the technology’s potential.
As studios continue to experiment with AI, Disney’s decision underscores the importance of balancing innovation with intellectual property control and reputational risk management.