Nicolas Cage says he refused Amazon’s AI waiver for ‘Spider-Noir’

Nicolas Cage says he refused to sign an AI waiver from Amazon for “Spider-Noir”, the Prime Video series it cancelled last month. He told a New York Comic Con panel on Saturday that he will probably not work with the studio again, Variety reported.

“Amazon is a very AI-friendly company, to the tune of $50 billion invested in OpenAI. I am not an AI-friendly actor, so it’s like, connect those dots!” Cage said on the Empire Stage, according to Variety.

He said he did not sign the waiver that would let the studio use AI on the show.

“I’m probably not going to be working with that studio again, but that’s okay,” Cage said.

The $50bn figure

Cage’s number matches Amazon’s own filing. Amazon completed its $50bn investment in OpenAI by the end of July. It disclosed the final payment in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, PYMNTS reported. The two companies work together on ads in ChatGPT, and OpenAI’s agents can run inside Amazon’s cloud.

A cancelled show

“Spider-Noir” was Cage’s first regular TV role. Prime Video cancelled it after one season of eight episodes on 4 September, Variety reported. The show had 11 Emmy nominations, the most of any Prime Video programme this year.

It drew 2.6 billion viewing minutes in its first six weeks, according to Nielsen’s streaming ratings. The series was the first to come out of Amazon’s deal with Sony Pictures Television to develop Spider-Man characters.

Cage still has work with Amazon. Prime Video is releasing his John Madden biopic, “Madden”, Gold Derby reported.

Next: young directors, and maybe HBO

Cage told the panel he wants to work with Gen Z filmmakers who come from YouTube, Variety reported. He named “Backrooms” director Kane Parsons.

He also said he might do a season of HBO’s “True Detective”, according to Gold Derby. HBO did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for comment. Last month, Semafor reported that Hollywood studios want graduates who use AI.