The AI Trailer Scam—And Why Studios Love It
Remember those clever fan-made trailers that reimagined The Shining as a heartwarming family comedy, set to Peter Gabriel's “Solsbury Hill”? Charming. Harmless. Quaint.
Fast-forward to today, and YouTube is a minefield of AI-generated “trailers” for upcoming blockbusters—hyper-realistic fakes racking up millions of views. James Gunn's Superman reboot? There's a fake trailer for it with more engagement than the official teaser. Fans gush in the comments: “This looks insane!” “Can't wait!”—never realizing they're drooling over algorithmic fanfiction.
So why aren't these videos getting nuked off the platform? Simple: Studios are cashing in.
The Shady Backroom Deal
Deadline reports that instead of issuing takedowns, major studios—Warner Bros., Sony, Paramount—are quietly demanding a cut of the ad revenue from these AI trailers. On paper, it's a win: Hollywood monetizes its IP even when randos misuse it. But dig deeper, and it's a Faustian bargain.
By greenlighting this grift, studios are:
- Rewarding theft: AI channels like Screen Culture scrape copyrighted footage, deepfake actors, and profit—with Hollywood's tacit approval.
- Muddying marketing: When actual trailers drop, audiences may feel duped (“Why doesn't Superman look like the AI version?”).
- Fueling the AI fire: If studios won't enforce copyright, why would anyone stop making these?
A Betrayal of Trust—And Art
This isn't just about money. It's about consent. Actors' likenesses are manipulated; cinematographers' work is Frankensteined into sludge. And yet, because a studio can skim 30% off the top, the scam continues.
“But it's just harmless fun!” Tell that to the VFX artists already fearing AI replacement—or the fans who'll blame Gunn when his Superman doesn't match the AI's fake glory.
The Bottom Line
Hollywood hates AI… until it pays. By monetizing fake trailers, studios aren't protecting their IP—they're pimping it out. And until viewers wise up, the grift will keep growing.
So, what do you think? Should studios shut these down—or take the cash and run? Sound off below.
