AI Startup's Ambitious Plan to Revive a Classic Film

On Friday, a startup named Fable announced a head-scratching yet ambitious project: using AI technology to recreate the lost 43 minutes of Orson Welles' 1942 film "The Magnificent Ambersons." This move raises eyebrows, especially since Fable, which bills itself as the "Netflix of AI," recently secured funding from Amazon's Alexa Fund.

Why This Unconventional Approach?

Fable has developed a platform that allows users to generate cartoons through AI prompts. While starting with its own IP, the company aims to expand into Hollywood properties. It has already been used to create unauthorized episodes of shows like "South Park," showcasing its capabilities but also sparking controversy.

Now, Fable is launching a new AI model designed to produce long, complex narratives. Over the next two years, filmmaker Brian Rose—who has spent five years digitally reconstructing Welles' vision—plans to use this model to remake the lost footage. However, Fable has not obtained the rights to the film, making this project a tech demo that may never see public release.

The Significance of "The Magnificent Ambersons"

For those not steeped in film history, "The Magnificent Ambersons" might seem an obscure choice. Often overshadowed by Welles' "Citizen Kane," it is remembered as a lost masterpiece that was heavily edited by the studio, adding an unconvincing happy ending and cutting significant content. This sense of loss and potential is what drew Fable and Rose to the project.

Yet, the startup failed to consult Welles' estate. David Reeder, representing Welles' daughter Beatrice, criticized the initiative as a publicity stunt, calling it a "purely mechanical exercise" lacking the innovative spirit of Welles. Interestingly, the estate has embraced AI for voice work, highlighting a complex stance on technology in creativity.

Ethical and Creative Concerns

Even with estate involvement, there's skepticism. Past attempts to posthumously complete Welles' films used his own footage, but Fable's hybrid approach—mixing AI with reshooting scenes and face-swapping actors—feels more like a fabrication than a restoration. Rose's genuine desire to honor Welles' vision, such as recreating a lost tracking shot, is noted, but the result will inevitably be an interpretation, not the original.

Ultimately, while AI can simulate, it cannot replace the unique genius of an artist. The true version of "The Magnificent Ambersons" remains lost, and no amount of technology can undo that tragedy.