Netflix Quietly Uses AI to Create Explosive Scene in Hit Sci-Fi Show — Industry Reacts.
Netflix uses generative AI to create a major VFX scene in *The Eternaut*, sparking industry-wide debate over cost and creativity.
In a groundbreaking move that’s sending shockwaves through Hollywood, Netflix has confirmed using generative AI to create a key visual effects sequence in its Argentine science fiction series The Eternaut. This marks the streaming giant’s first-ever use of AI-generated footage in a final cut of an original production.
Speaking during a recent investor call, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealed that a dramatic scene involving a building collapse in Buenos Aires was generated using AI tools developed by the company’s in-house visual effects arm, Scanline. The sequence, he said, was delivered “ten times faster” than traditional VFX would allow — and at a fraction of the cost.
“The cost of producing it through conventional means would simply not have been feasible for a show with that budget,” Sarandos explained, highlighting how generative AI is transforming production workflows behind the scenes.
Also Read: Assam’s Bold Plan to Revolutionize Education for the AI Era!
While the use of AI helped Netflix cut costs and speed up production timelines, the move is also reigniting controversy across the entertainment world. Critics warn that generative AI can exploit creative work without consent and threaten the livelihood of VFX artists, writers, and other creative professionals. The issue was a major flashpoint during the 2023 Hollywood writers’ strike, which resulted in new rules limiting the use of AI in scriptwriting.
Despite the backlash, Netflix appears committed to expanding its AI footprint. The company is reportedly preparing to launch AI-powered interactive ads for ad-tier subscribers by 2026.
The Eternaut, adapted from the iconic Argentine graphic novel El Eternauta, is widely regarded as the country's most ambitious sci-fi series to date. With Netflix now fully entering the AI age, it seems the future of content creation may be more synthetic — and more controversial — than ever before.
Also Read: AI Chaos in Classrooms: Students Feel Anxious, Distrustful, and Divided
