Vaughn on Comics, Hollywood, AI, and His Upcoming Superhero Series
Despite his work in Hollywood, Vaughn says his heart remains in comics.
“I think sometimes people think, ‘Vaughn, are you just going to sell? Are you going to go to Hollywood full time?’ But the reason I’m able to work in Hollywood is because of comics.”
Vaughn’s Upcoming Comics With Cliff Chan
Vaughn says the upcoming comic is completely different from anything he has done before. Set far in the future, its premise imagines a world where everyone can become a superhero—but only while they are young.
“I try not to reveal too much beyond that.”
Vaughn recalls seeing The Matrix without knowing what it was about, an experience that made him happy. He says the creative team is trying to create a similar sense of discovery with the new project.
He has been making comics for 31 years, beginning as a teenager. His work has included stories involving Spider-Man and Batman, as well as Ex Machina, a science-fiction political comic that deconstructed superheroes. He describes the new project as his first true superhero book.
Vaughn’s Concerns About AI in Comics, Movies, and TV
Vaughn says the impact of artificial intelligence on the entertainment industry is frightening. He has friends who work as previs and storyboard artists, and he says those jobs are disappearing. He has also heard concerns that there may eventually be no editors.
“Show business is first and foremost a business. I’m lucky and it’s like having a grandfather. I think there will always be people who are interested in bespoke human-made stories. But the future is terrifyingly unknowable, and it’s closing in on us very quickly.”
Vaughn says he has been encouraged by the fact that his two teenage children are strongly opposed to AI and would dislike knowing that he used it. He also says he has never used AI for creative purposes.
Still, he believes the industry may soon face a difficult question: what happens when audiences demand new content immediately?
“I think we’re getting very close to the day when someone will say, ‘I’m tired of waiting for the next issue. Give me the next issue.’”
Referencing Saga, he adds that the question ultimately becomes whether people want content or are looking for a distraction.
Source: www.wired.com