# Natasha Lyonne to Direct and Star in AI-Powered Sci-Fi Film “Uncanny Valley”

## Natasha Lyonne to Direct and Star in AI-Powered Sci-Fi Film “Uncanny Valley”

Natasha Lyonne, known for her roles in shows like *Poker Face* and *Russian Doll*, is diving into the world of science fiction with a new film titled *Uncanny Valley*. This project is particularly noteworthy as it will incorporate elements generated by AI, placing it at the forefront of the ongoing conversation about the role of artificial intelligence in Hollywood.

Lyonne is collaborating with virtual reality pioneer Jaron Lanier and *The OA*’s Brit Marling on the film. Lyonne and Marling co-wrote the story, which centers on a teenage girl whose life is dramatically altered by a popular virtual reality game. Lyonne will not only direct but also star in the film, alongside Marling.

The visually fantastical aspects of *Uncanny Valley* are being developed by Asteria, an AI-focused production company co-founded by Lyonne and her partner, director/producer Bryn Mooser. Asteria aims to distinguish itself in the burgeoning AI entertainment landscape by utilizing Marey, a generative text-to-video AI model created by Moonvalley. Moonvalley touts Marey as a “clean” AI model because it’s trained exclusively on licensed material, ensuring the original creators are fairly compensated.

Lyonne expressed her excitement about the project, comparing it to the work of the Wachowskis. “Imagine if Dianne Wiest and Diane Keaton, at their loquacious best, decided to take a journey through The Matrix for sport, only to find themselves holding up an architectural blueprint, and you’ll have a sense of the adventure we’ve been on,” she stated. She also praised the synergistic collaboration with Marling, Lanier, and the “astounding imagineers” at Asteria.

The announcement of *Uncanny Valley* comes at a crucial time, as Hollywood increasingly explores the possibilities of AI integration despite concerns about its potential for exploitation. Last month, over 400 artists signed an open letter criticizing OpenAI and Google for their insistence on training AI models on copyrighted material. The threat of AI replacing actors also played a significant role in the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

While *Uncanny Valley*’s use of Marey, which is trained on licensed material, could alleviate some ethical concerns, questions remain about the film’s potential success and its impact beyond technological hype. As Hollywood continues to experiment with AI, *Uncanny Valley* will be a closely watched case study of the creative and ethical implications of this technology. Currently, there is no production timeline or distribution plans available. The movie’s release, whether in theaters or on streaming platforms, is still in the works.