Google is investing 75 million US dollars in the film studio A24 to develop new production tools for film projects such as "Elden Ring" via the AI lab Google DeepMind.
The focus of this multi-year partnership is on the development of AI-supported workflows for production and distribution, which are being tested, among other things, in the 20-person technology department “A24 Labs”.
No image generation for Elden Ring and Death Stranding
The announcement immediately fueled speculation among fans as to whether the upcoming film adaptations of Elden Ring (planned for March 2028) and Death Stranding would be visually altered by generative AI. This is unfounded. The contractual agreements explicitly prohibit Google from accessing A24's film library for training purposes.
These aren't AI tools based on simple text prompts that are causing heated debate in the industry. Instead, they're about technical assistance systems working behind the scenes. Specifically, the studio is developing software for the automated creation of storyboards to accelerate scene pre-production.
Tools instead of job replacement
The strategic assessment paints a clear picture contrary to the current Hollywood trend. While major US studios justify mass layoffs with efficiency gains through AI, A24 reports that the DeepMind collaboration will leave the creative control of directors untouched.
Director Alex Garland, who directed the over 100 million US dollar film IMAX adaptation of Elden Ring The project leads the team and therefore does not rely on algorithms for visual effects, but rather uses technology to streamline logistics. The same applies to Michael Sarnoski and his Death Stranding project. The actual creative work remains done by hand.
Google's investment isn't a move into automated content generation à la Sora or Veo for Hollywood blockbusters. Neither the dark aesthetic of the interstate nor the sterile world of Kojima's post-apocalypse will be padded with soulless AI textures. Through A24, Google secures practical feedback from film production, while the studio cross-finances expensive software development. It's a purely technical deal at the management level. Nothing more.
