Gal Gadot has defended the use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking while explaining why her contract for Doug Liman's upcoming film 'Bitcoin' took six months to finalise.
Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gadot said her lawyers spent months considering possible scenarios involving AI because she did not want the technology to have anything to do with her performance. The film is taking an unusual approach to production, with AI being used to create locations and lighting rather than conventional finished sets.
The use of AI in filmmaking is already extending well beyond experimental productions. Netflix said around 300 of its titles had used generative AI in 2026.
The company cited projects including 'The American Experiment', 'Glory' and 'Brasil 70: A Saga do Tri', where AI was used for visual effects such as crowd enhancement and historical reconstruction. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said one 17-minute section of AI-enhanced footage was produced at half the usual cost and twice the speed.
Gal Gadot Spent Six Months Negotiating Her Contract
Gadot described the agreement for the movie 'Bitcoin' as the longest contract she has ever worked on. She said her lawyers spent six months going through every scenario they could think of involving the film's AI component.
'I did not want AI to have anything to do with my performance,' Gadot said. She added that the agreement was designed to protect the acting work being delivered by the performers.
Gadot also said SAG contacted her lawyers for pointers on updating its contract to provide protections for other actors. Her comments offer an example of how AI-related questions are becoming part of negotiations between performers and film productions.
The production itself uses AI in other areas. The technology is being used to create locations and lighting, while the actors were filmed in a stripped-down environment rather than inside fully constructed sets.
'Bitcoin' Was Filmed On A Bare Soundstage
'Bitcoin', which stars Gadot alongside Casey Affleck, Pete Davidson and Isla Fisher, was filmed on a soundstage with minimal physical surroundings. Reports said that the production used a grey, largely empty space, with visual backgrounds and lighting intended to be created through AI during post-production.
Gadot compared the experience with theatre because the physical environment was stripped back and the focus was placed on the performances. She said the setup also meant the cast could continue filming without repeatedly waiting for conventional lighting changes.
The actor said they could 'film on and on and on' for 10 hours because they did not have to stop to reset scenes in the usual way. She described the experience as unusual but said it allowed the performers to concentrate on their work.
The film's reported budget and AI savings have also attracted attention. Producer Ryan Kavanaugh has claimed that the $70 million (£51.9 million) production saved more than $200 million (£148.3 million) by using AI for production design and lighting.
Gadot has made it clear that her position is not simply to reject the technology. She said she is afraid of AI but is experimenting with it, learning about it and trying to educate herself.
'The train had left the station,' Gadot said, before arguing that actors would have to work with AI or risk being left out of the industry.
At the same time, she has drawn a distinction between learning to use AI and allowing it to become part of her acting performance.
She said she had not yet seen a finished shot from 'Bitcoin', leaving the completed film as the first opportunity to see how the production's AI-generated environments translate to the screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Gal Gadot's stance on AI in filmmaking?Gal Gadot is cautious about AI in filmmaking, ensuring it does not affect her performance, but she is open to learning and experimenting with the technology.
- How was AI used in the film 'Bitcoin'?AI was used to create locations and lighting, allowing filming on a bare soundstage with minimal physical surroundings.
- Why did Gal Gadot's contract for 'Bitcoin' take six months to finalize?Her lawyers spent six months considering scenarios involving AI to ensure it did not affect her performance.
