AceShowbiz - Robert Zemeckis' latest film "Here," which marks a reunion between "Forrest Gump" stars Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, has stirred a whirlwind of discussions both in Hollywood and among the general public.

Making the use of AI-powered de-aging technology, the film allowed Hanks and Wright to seamlessly transition across different ages, sparking both awe and apprehension. Critically panned and commercially unsuccessful with just $13 million in global revenue, "Here" has particularly drawn fire from actress Lisa Kudrow.

In a recent interview on Dax Shepard's "Armchair Expert" podcast, Kudrow labeled the film as an "endorsement for AI," expressing deep concerns about the ramifications for human actors. "They shot it, and they could actually shoot the scene and then look at the playback of them as younger, and it's ready for them to see," Kudrow stated, highlighting the impressive yet unsettling immediacy of the technology.

Her critique goes beyond mere technical curiosity. Kudrow questions the long-term impact on the acting profession, particularly for newcomers. "All I got from that was, this is an endorsement for AI. It's not like, 'Oh it's going to ruin everything,' but what will be left? Forget actors, what about up-and-coming actors? They'll just be licensing and recycling," she lamented.

Such concerns touch upon the broader ethical and economic consequences of AI in creative fields, echoing discussions during the writers' and actors' strikes of 2023.

Tom Hanks himself has spoken at length about the potential and pitfalls of AI in film. "Anybody can now recreate themselves at any age they are by way of AI or deep fake technology. I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that's it, but performances can go on and on and on and on," Hanks noted.

He emphasized the dual nature of this technology as both an artistic and legal challenge, revealing ongoing discussions among guilds, agencies, and legal firms about the intellectual property aspects of actors' digital likenesses.

"There's all kinds of stuff that they say, will movies ever be the same again because of this thing? And the answer is yes, of course, because in the sensibilities and I guess in some ways the morals of the filmmaker, it's plainly evident what the final product is," Hanks remarked.

Despite the controversies, some in the industry see AI-driven tools as a natural evolution of filmmaking. Zemeckis, for instance, has a history of incorporating cutting-edge technologies in his projects, from "Forrest Gump" to "The Polar Express."

While artificial intelligence offers new avenues for storytelling, it also introduces complex dilemmas for actors and audiences alike. As Kudrow poignantly asked, "What work will there be for human beings? Then what?" The debate on AI's role in Hollywood is sure to continue, as stakeholders work to strike a balance between technological innovation and preserving the essence of human creativity.