Danny Boyle Confirms His New Movie ‘Ink’ Utilized AI Technology

Generative AI has emerged as one of the most debated topics at this year’s fall festival circuit, with filmmakers facing pointed inquiries about their films’ reliance on the technology. Few directors have tackled the issue as openly as Oscar-winning veteran Danny Boyle, whose latest project premiered at one of the world’s most prestigious festivals.

Boyle’s new film, ‘Ink’, chronicles the rise of Rupert Murdoch’s British tabloid empire and debuted as the opening film at the 83rd Venice Film Festival before screening at Telluride. Speculation on social media had already begun regarding whether certain archival-style images in the film, including recreations of the Kray brothers and a former U.K. prime minister, were generated using AI tools.

Boyle has now confirmed those suspicions. In a video interview with Vanity Fair at Telluride, he stated that ‘Ink’ employed AI technology in the production of about 30 seconds of footage, as reported by TheWrap.

He elaborated on the technology’s use, explaining, “We animate a couple of old photographs, which you’ll have seen online the way that it does that.” Additionally, AI was used to create a few digital mice that scurry around the newsroom set of The Sun, the British tabloid central to the film’s narrative.

Boyle connected this decision to a past controversy from his career, recalling backlash from PETA over his use of real chimpanzees in the opening sequence of 2002’s ’28 Days Later.’ He noted that the criticism led him to rely on computer-generated animals in his films since then, with AI proving particularly effective for that purpose.

This practical approach frames the technology as an extension of standard visual effects rather than a replacement for traditional filmmaking techniques. Boyle was careful to differentiate this limited, animal-focused use of AI from more contentious applications within the industry, such as replacing human performers.

During the festival, Boyle also shared his broader thoughts on AI’s growing role in filmmaking, suggesting that his opinion is less important than how younger generations of viewers and creators perceive the technology. He argued that AI can be a genuinely useful tool if used respectfully, specifically advocating for fair compensation when the technology replaces human actors.

‘Ink’ is adapted from James Graham’s acclaimed stage play of the same name, detailing media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s 1969 acquisition of The Sun and how editor Larry Lamb turned the struggling publication into a bestseller after being poached from the Daily Mirror. The film stars Jack O’Connell as Lamb, with Guy Pearce as Murdoch and Claire Foy in the principal cast.

Principal photography began in London in October of last year, with additional filming locations in Saltaire, Hebden Bridge, and Halifax in West Yorkshire. The film is produced by StudioCanal, Media Res, and House Productions, with Boyle serving as a producer alongside Tessa Ross, Michael Ellenberg, and Tracey Seaward.

Netflix is distributing the film, which comes amid a growing wave of festival titles facing scrutiny over AI usage this season. Boyle’s openness about the technology’s role in his film contrasts with the more vague and defensive responses from some other filmmakers when faced with similar inquiries.

As ‘Ink’ continues its festival run following premieres at Venice and Telluride, Boyle’s comments contribute to the broader industry conversation about the role of generative AI in modern filmmaking. Whether audiences view his limited, animal-focused application of the technology as a reasonable compromise or a slippery slope remains an open question as the film approaches wider release.

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