During a new episode recording of the Variety Awards Circuit podcast, global star Emily Blunt was shocked by the news of the launch of an AI-generated actress named Tilly Norwood. The news came just before the premiere of her new film “The Smashing Machine” in Los Angeles, provoking a strong reaction from her.

“We’re in Trouble”

When Blunt read the report herself, she lost her composure and said, “I don’t know if this disappoints me, but what I know is that it’s very scary… Oh my God, we’re in trouble. This is terrifying.”

Upon seeing the virtual actress’s image, she issued a stern warning to Hollywood agencies: “Please, stop. Don’t steal our human connection.”

A New Controversial Project and Experiment

The virtual actress Tilly Norwood is the first production of Xicoia, an AI talent studio recently founded by Ellen Van Der Velden. The project was unveiled at the Zurich Film Festival, where Van Der Velden explained that studios are already working on similar projects.

A Blend of Famous Faces

Blunt pointed out that Norwood was designed to resemble a mix of well-known star faces. When told the goal was to be the “next Scarlett Johansson,” she replied, “But we already have Scarlett Johansson.”

The AI Crisis in Hollywood

These developments come amid ongoing controversy over the use of AI in film and television. This issue was central to last year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, where actors demanded guarantees to protect their voices and images from unauthorized digital cloning. Quick reactions from actors like Melissa Barrera and Lucas Hedges confirmed the level of anger within the artistic community.

Blunt and “The Smashing Machine”

Meanwhile, Blunt is preparing to premiere her new film “The Smashing Machine,” co-starring with Dwayne Johnson as Don Staples, partner of MMA fighter Mark Kerr. The film, directed by Benny Safdie, was screened at the Venice and Toronto festivals to strong reactions, placing it early on the list of potential Oscar nominees.