Oscar-winning “Pulp Fiction” co-writer and “The Rules of Attraction” director Roger Avary is set to write and direct a feature adaptation of the biblical epic “Paradise Lost” for Ex Machina Studios, an emerging production company focused on AI-driven filmmaking.
Yes, that Ex-Machina, the same outfit that, just last week, greenlit Alex Proyas’ “Heaven.” They seem to be the go-to company for filmmakers who want to turn pricey passion projects into AI reality.
Avary is the latest fiommaker to take on John Milton’s 1667 epic “Paradise Lost,” a work that has repeatedly proven difficult for adaptation due to its dense themes and enormous narrative scale. The poem spans cosmic events such as the battle in heaven and the origins of creation, and earlier attempts to bring it to film—including a Warner Bros. project that at one point had Proyas attached to direct with Bradley Cooper set to star—ultimately stalled.
The film will use AI for its “expansive worlds to be realized,” while preserving real actors. No cast or production start dates have been announced yet, though the film is still expected to carry an “ambitious budget” for an independent production.
Back in February, a gleeful Avary admitted that the rise of artificial intelligence has made it easier to get his movies made. Just to put things into perspective, Avary has only directed four films since his 1993 debut “Killing Zoe,” one of which includes 2002’s Bret Easton Ellis adaptation “The Rules of Attraction.” He’s also written two other films, including “Silent Hill” and “Beowulf.”
Avary said the traditional film financing system had become largely inaccessible to him, describing it as “almost impossible” to get projects made through conventional channels. That shifted after he launched his AI-focused production company, General Cinema Dynamics, which he claims quickly attracted investor interest simply by positioning itself around AI. “All of a sudden, boom… money gets thrown at it,” he said, adding that the company is now in production on three films.
While many in Hollywood remain opposed to AI in filmmaking, several established veterans—including Roger Deakins, Brady Corbet, Michael Mann, Paul Schrader, Werner Herzog, and George Miller—have expressed interest in its creative potential. Furthermore, Doug Liman is currently shooting his next film entirely on AI-generated stages and Michael Mann is considering AI de-aging for “Heat 2,” potentially building on techniques linked to “Furiosa.”