Hollywood Flips: AI Becomes Mandatory for VFX Vendors

💼 Hollywood Flips: AI Becomes Mandatory for VFX

Weta FX CEO Daniel Si told Variety: in one year, studios have moved from banning generative AI to a mandatory requirement of "no AI strategy — don't expect work" (starting Q3 2025). Weta FX announced partnerships with Taiwan's TAICCA and Moonshine Studio.

🌍 AI strategy has become a tender condition: vendors without one are losing contracts. Weta is building its own models for modifying 3D worlds; Kling and Seedance are used only with client permission and hosting outside of China. CTO Kimball Thirston: they have "fundamentally killed part of the competition," and Weta does not plan to replace artists.

👤 Generative AI in VFX is moving from short clips to modifying entire 3D worlds in feature films; the market for orders is shrinking for specialists without skills in working with generative models.

Source 1: https://variety.com/2026/film/markets-festivals/hollywood-flipped-genai-avatar-vfx-house-weta-fx-1236941070/