‘Useless as a laptop screensaver’: Critics slam Musk’s AI-driven film Odyssey | Elon Musk

Elon Musk has released an AI-generated rival to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey after pledging to make a version “faithful to the art of Homer”.

After criticizing the hit film this summer, the mogul said he would use Grok Imagine to make a “historically accurate” adaptation.

The first results were broadcast on X in the form of a seven-minute episode produced in collaboration with Wonder Studios, a London-based startup.

Musk had objected to Nolan’s casting choices – such as black actor Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy – and used the blockbuster as a vehicle to express his views on diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Tesla magnate had promised to produce a “feature film” version of Homer’s poem before the end of the year, but is sticking to a film released in episodes.

The first episode begins with Odysseus wondering whether he should join the Greek forces in their attempt to sack Troy. He then leaves Ithaca, his native island, with his men shouting “revenge” before disembarking and beginning the fight.

The episode ends after 10 years of conflict, with Odysseus ominously holding a wooden figurine of a horse.

Xavier Collins, co-founder of Wonder Studios, said the first episode was made in less than two weeks with a creative team of three, including American director Dev Walker. It would have cost tens of thousands of dollars. Nolan’s version cost $250 million (£188 million) and was filmed in multiple locations over 91 days with a vast crew. It grossed $1.8 billion at the box office.

Despite Elon Musk’s criticism of Nolan’s film, the creative team behind the latest version of Homer is rooting for the summer blockbuster.

Collins said he was a “huge fan” and told the Guardian: “We weren’t given any instructions to make (Musk’s version) anti-woke or anything like that. One of the best frontier labs in the world gave us the opportunity to work on one of the best stories ever told.”

“The goal was: ‘Help us understand the technology, its strengths and weaknesses, and where it could be improved.’ »

Peter Bradshaw’s review in the Guardian gave it one star, saying: “Each dramatic moment – ​​Odysseus’ codpiece madness and agreement to fight, the taking leave of his family, the hardships and adventure of the sea voyage and the climactic decision – are all as devoid of motivation and meaning as the movement of shapes on a laptop screensaver.” »

The episode on the Grok Imagine »

Collins said Wonder aimed to make the next episode an improvement on the first and would address criticisms including the historical accuracy of its boats and its fast pace.

“We’re going to look at all the feedback and all the things we could have done better and see if we can make it better. The goal is for the next episode we do to be radically better than the last one,” he said.

Wonder also worked with Google DeepMind to produce an AI-generated video for Lewis Capaldi’s track Something in the Heavens.