Hollywood's AI Agenda Revealed: Unveiling the Eerie Connection BoJack Horseman Foreshadowed Years Ago

When BoJack Horseman introduced the subplot in season 2, where the movie studio considered using BoJack's likeness for the biopic Secretariat if they found it more favorable than BoJack himself, it was initially intended as a satirical commentary on Hollywood's ruthlessness. Little did they know that eight years later, their joke would become a reality.

With the recent announcement that Hollywood plans to use artificial intelligence to replicate an actor's likeness and save costs, fans of BoJack Horseman were quick to recognize how the show's episode "Brand New Couch" had already predicted this development back in 2015.

DiscussingFilm's Twitter account was the first to report on Hollywood's plans involving Artificial Intelligence. According to their news, the studio proposed to SAG-AFTRA that background actors would be scanned for their likeness and receive only a day's worth of pay, while their likeness would be used indefinitely without any compensation or consent. Clarkisha Kent's Twitter account then pointed out that BoJack Horseman had already made a joke about this scenario, stating, "It's astonishingly similar to what was said in an episode of BoJack Horseman. These studios are ridiculously wicked."

In the TV show, the producer Lenny Turteltaub used AI as a precautionary measure in case BoJack didn't work out as the lead in the film. He intended to use the AI to mold the movie according to his vision. BoJack, who initially saw the film as a passion project, decided to leave the set when he realized it wasn't turning out the way he had hoped. After his departure, the film ultimately decided to utilize the AI-generated version of BoJack, which contributed to its success. The joke, in this context, wasn't so much about actors being dispensable, but rather about BoJack's lack of trust in the film's production.

Once intended as a satirical take on Hollywood's ability to discard actors without consequence, it is now evident that the premise was not far from reality. BoJack Horseman, during its peak, fearlessly exposed the somber truths of the industry that previous shows dared not address. Long before the #MeToo movement gained momentum, the series highlighted the lack of career repercussions for male celebrities despite undeniable evidence of their questionable pasts. Furthermore, it shed light on how being a famous actor can isolate one from society more than anything else. These astute commentaries solidified BoJack Horseman's status as a standout in its era.

Remarkably, akin to The Simpsons' ability to unintentionally foreshadow future events during its golden age, BoJack Horseman exhibited a similar talent. Although it may now seem like a distant recollection, the show accurately predicted Donald Trump's presidency, advancements such as video chats and smartwatches, and even the devastating event of 9/11. It appears that the most brilliant shows possess an uncanny knowledge that exceeds our collective awareness.

BoJack Horseman can be streamed on Netflix.

Source: DiscussingFilm/Twitter, Clarkisha Kent/Twitter