Disney scrapped AI deepfake plans for Moana and pulled an AI character pitch for Tron: Ares amid IP concerns and bad publicity risks.
The studio planned to digitally clone Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s face using AI for a body double in the live-action Moana remake. They worked with AI firm Metaphysic to create “digital doubles” so Johnson could be in two places at once.
But despite Johnson’s OK, Disney worried about ownership of AI-generated content and killed the idea. The AI footage never made it past early stages. 
Disney would work with AI company Metaphysic to create deepfakes of Johnson’s face that could be layered on top of Reed’s performance in the footage—a ‘digital double’ that effectively allowed Johnson to be in two places at once
Next up, Disney floated building an AI sidekick character for Jeff Bridges’ lead in Tron: Ares. The pitch aimed to ride AI hype but was axed over fears of bad PR.
Disney is fiercely protective of its intellectual property and recently sued Midjourney for copyright infringement alongside NBCUniversal.
The studio continues to wrestle with AI’s role in Hollywood as it balances innovation with control and brand risk.
