Shawn Levy is looking ahead to the future of filmmaking—even as he puts the finishing touches on the next major Star Wars installment.
Speaking at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony, the director told Variety that artificial intelligence is on track to become a key part of the industry, calling it “essential,” while making clear it hasn’t played a role in his work so far.
Levy explained that while AI is advancing quickly, his current creative process remains grounded in traditional methods. “To date, I’ve not incorporated AI in any meaningful way in any phase of my storytelling process,” he said, noting that any future use would need to prioritize human creativity.
He emphasized that emerging tools should support—not replace—the artistic voice behind a project, adding that storytelling remains driven by “singular and irreplicable” human vision.
Sam Altman, who also spoke at the event, said AI could ultimately strengthen Hollywood by increasing appreciation for human creators rather than diminishing it.
With a release date set for May 28, 2027, Levy described his current focus as shaping the film in the editing room. “I’m in the dark quiet of the edit room, finding the best possible shape for the film,” he said.
While AI isn’t part of that process, Levy acknowledged it’s becoming impossible to ignore. He said he spends time each day trying to better understand the regulatory landscape surrounding the technology.
“I think it’s going to be essential,” he said, adding that avoiding the conversation entirely “would be naive and foolish.” The director also stressed the importance of responsible integration, signaling that any adoption should be deliberate and carefully managed.
Levy’s approach aligns with his broader philosophy toward filmmaking. In earlier interviews, he described Starfighter as a completely original entry in the Star Wars universe—“neither a sequel nor a prequel”—built from scratch rather than tied to existing storylines.
