Disney nearly rewrote Hollywood’s rulebook. The entertainment giant secretly explored revolutionary AI technology for two major blockbusters. Their plans would have changed filmmaking forever.
But corporate fear killed both projects before they could breathe.
The Mouse House partnered with AI company Metaphysic to create deepfake technology for the live-action Moana remake. Disney executives wanted to digitally paste Dwayne Johnson’s face onto his cousin and stunt double Tanoi Reed’s body. The technology would have allowed Reed to perform dangerous stunts while Johnson’s likeness appeared on screen seamlessly.
However, Disney’s legal team raised red flags about intellectual property ownership. The studio worried they couldn’t claim complete ownership over AI-generated film elements. When Disney and Metaphysic failed to reach acceptable terms, executives scrapped all existing footage featuring the deepfake technology.
Disney Scrapped Dwayne Johnson Deepfake Plans Over Ownership Fears
The studio then shifted their AI ambitions to Tron: Ares, the highly anticipated sequel to the 1980s cult classic. Disney executives pitched incorporating artificial intelligence directly into a character within the film’s narrative. The AI character would have served as a sidekick to Kevin Flynn, Jeff Bridges’ returning protagonist from previous Tron films.
This marketing strategy promised unprecedented buzz for the franchise. Disney saw an opportunity to merge cutting-edge technology with storytelling in ways never attempted before. The concept aligned perfectly with Tron’s digital world themes and could have positioned Disney as Hollywood’s AI pioneer.
Disney planned to use AI deepfake technology to put Dwayne Johnson’s face on a body double for the live-action ‘MOANA’ remake.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 4, 2025
Johnson approved the plan but it never went ahead due to data & copyright concerns.
(Source: https://t.co/x62DWAXC1A) pic.twitter.com/EjRlCac8di
Yet publicity concerns ultimately derailed these plans, too. Disney executives received warnings about potential backlash from audiences, critics, and industry professionals already skeptical of AI’s role in entertainment. The company decided the marketing benefits couldn’t justify the reputational risks.
Both decisions reflect Hollywood’s current struggle with artificial intelligence integration. Studios recognize AI’s massive potential but remain paralyzed by legal uncertainties and public perception issues. Disney’s cautious approach demonstrates how even industry leaders hesitate to fully embrace transformative technology when traditional filmmaking methods feel safer and more predictable.
Tron: Ares will hit theaters October 10 without its planned AI character integration. The film stars Jared Leto as a sophisticated program entering the real world, ironically exploring AI themes while avoiding actual AI implementation. Meanwhile, the live-action Moana remake continues production with traditional filming methods, scheduled for July 10, 2026 release.
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