Supporting Roles and Below May Use AI Actors, Director Yu Zheng Claims Real Performance Cannot Be Replaced by Technology

marsbitPublished on 2026-03-18Last updated on 2026-03-18

Abstract

Recent discussions about "replacing supporting and minor roles with AI actors" have sparked heated debates on social platforms, indicating that generative AI technology is now moving beyond special effects and entering the core of character portrayal in film and television production. Prominent screenwriter Yu Zheng has publicly responded, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of real human performance. While AI actors, powered by digital generation technology, are already performing complex actions and creating unique character appearances—particularly in short-form dramas where they significantly reduce costs and shorten production cycles—their limitations are becoming increasingly clear. AI still struggles to convey emotional depth and a sense of humanity, and audiences often find it difficult to form genuine emotional connections with digital characters. This trend reflects an ongoing tension between technology and art in the industry. As Yu Zheng noted, AI may represent a temporary trend that filters out mediocre output, but true creative expression still relies on human thought and emotion. As both digital models and human performances continue to coexist, the industry must confront the challenge of balancing technological efficiency with artistic and emotional authenticity.

Recently, the discussion about "using AI actors for supporting roles and below" has topped the trending list on social platforms, marking that the penetration of generative AI technology into the film and television production process has deeply advanced from special effects assistance to character replacement. Prominent screenwriter Yu Zheng publicly responded to this, emphasizing the irreplaceability of real performances.

Currently, AI actors, leveraging digital generation technology, can perform high-difficulty actions and create special character images, demonstrating significant cost reduction and efficiency improvement in short film production, greatly shortening development cycles. However, the limitations behind the technological benefits are increasingly evident: digital algorithms still lack the ability to convey emotional depth and the warmth of life, and the audience's psychological defense mechanisms make it difficult for AI images to establish emotional resonance among peers.

This trend reflects that the film and television industry is in a period of intense friction between technology and art. As Yu Zheng stated, AI may be a temporary trend; it serves more as a screening mechanism to eliminate mediocre output, while the core of creation still needs to return to human thought and emotions. In the current era where digital models and real performances coexist, how to balance technological leverage and humanistic care has become an issue the industry must face directly.

Related Questions

QWhat is the main topic of the article that sparked online discussion?

AThe main topic is the proposal to use AI actors for supporting roles (specifically 'male second lead and below') in film and television productions.

QWhat is director Yu Zheng's stance on the use of AI actors?

ADirector Yu Zheng believes that real human performance is irreplaceable and cannot be substituted by technology.

QWhat are two main advantages of using AI actors mentioned in the article?

AThe two main advantages are significant cost reduction and efficiency improvement, as well as the ability to perform difficult actions and create special character appearances.

QWhat key limitation does AI technology currently face in acting, according to the article?

AThe key limitation is that digital algorithms lack the ability to convey emotional depth and a sense of life's warmth, making it difficult for AI characters to establish emotional resonance with audiences.

QHow does the article describe the current state of the film and television industry regarding this technology?

AThe article describes the industry as being in a period of intense friction between technology and art, where it must confront the challenge of balancing technological leverage with humanistic care.

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