Steven Soderbergh Plans to Use “A Lot of AI” in New Film with Wagner Moura

One of the most prolific filmmakers of modern cinema, Steven Soderbergh, may go without filming a project this year for the first time in a long while. However, the pause is not due to a lack of ideas, but rather difficulties with financing — challenges that are pushing the director toward actively using artificial intelligence in his next film.

A new project: war and ambition
The project in question is Ascenso (“Rise”), a historical drama set during the Spanish–American War. According to Soderbergh, it’s “a great story that hasn’t really been told,” and one that feels increasingly relevant today.

Despite its strong concept, the film has yet to secure full financing. The director admits that even with studio interest, budget constraints remain the main obstacle to moving forward.

Star power as a key factor
Wagner Moura, best known for Narcos, is already attached to the project and has received multiple awards and nominations in 2026. However, Soderbergh believes that one strong name is not enough.

He emphasizes that the film needs an A-list ensemble to succeed in wide theatrical release — otherwise, it risks being pushed toward streaming rather than cinemas.

AI as a creative solution
In search of a balance between ambition and budget, Soderbergh is turning to modern technology. He plans to use “a lot of AI” to significantly reduce production costs.

According to the director, this is not just a compromise but a deliberate creative choice. He has already been experimenting with AI tools and sees them as a way to expand the expressive possibilities of filmmaking.

Previous experience with AI
For example, while working on a documentary about John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Soderbergh used AI-generated imagery to create “thematically surreal visuals” that enhanced the emotional and conceptual layers of the story.

At the same time, he notes that working with AI requires serious preparation, arguing that effective use of such tools demands an almost academic level of understanding of text and context.

A changing industry landscape
Soderbergh describes the current state of the film industry as a “strange time,” where traditional financing models are no longer as reliable. However, he views this not as a crisis, but as an opportunity for experimentation and innovation.

If Ascenso moves forward, it could become one of the first major films where artificial intelligence is not just a supporting tool, but a central part of the production process.