Blab Entertainment
Tony Leung Addresses AI, Cinema, and New Projects at Shanghai Film Festival
Tony Chiu‑wai Leung, 63, presided over the main jury of the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) in June 2026. In a Friday interview with AFP and The Hollywood Reporter, the veteran actor‑director unpacked the influence of artificial intelligence on filmmaking, the evolution of Chinese cinema, and the slate of projects he’s working on.
Leung described AI as a "double‑edged sword." He noted that the technology can "save a lot of time" and therefore money, but it also threatens jobs for many industry workers. He added that mainstream "popcorn movies" would benefit most from AI because they rely on calculation rather than creative decision‑making. When asked whether a film created with AI could be considered art, Leung paused and said it lacks a soul and therefore is not art.
SIFF’s 2026 programme included an initiative that gave selected teams a month to produce short AI‑assisted films. Leung said filmmakers are increasingly experimenting with new tech tools, but he remains skeptical about the artistic value of AI‑generated content.
The actor also expressed frustration with the way audiences consume cinema today. He said he "really hates phone viewing" and that he feels sad when movies are watched on small screens. Leung recalled watching films in large cinemas as a child and believes that movies should be experienced on the big screen.
Leung’s career has spanned Hong Kong, Hollywood, and European productions. He has worked with director Wong Kar‑wai on seven films, including Chungking Express and In the Mood for Love. In 2021 he played a supervillain in Marvel’s Shang‑Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He received a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the Venice Film Festival in 2023. SIFF is showing a retrospective of his work this year, but Leung declined to attend.
Regarding mainland Chinese cinema, Leung said the industry has moved from a "learning stage" to developing its own creative voice. He highlighted animation and small‑scale productions as bright spots that allow experimentation without large financial risk. He also suggested that censorship could be loosened to encourage a wider range of movies.
Leung’s latest film, Silent Friend, is his first fully European production. The story centers on a ginkgo tree, and Leung explained that the plant’s mycorrhizal relationships changed his view of plant intelligence. He described the shoot as "a kind of chaos" but noted that the crew found a harmonious rhythm, improvising rather than following a strict direction.
He currently has three projects in development: a feature with Hong Kong director Johnnie To, a production set in India, and a streaming series. Leung said that the director’s vision is the primary factor in his selection process, rather than genre or story.
In a separate interview with The Hive on 15 June 2026, Leung clarified that he does not want AI to use his likeness or voice in future works. While he is not opposed to AI for research purposes, he maintains a firm stance against its use for creating derivative content.
Leung’s comments come as SIFF 2026 screened more than 420 films from 4,100 submissions across 125 countries. The festival also highlighted the growing role of AI in the film industry, while the actor’s remarks underscore the ongoing debate about technology’s place in cinema. As the festival concludes, Leung’s upcoming projects and his retrospective screening will continue to shape discussions about the future of filmmaking.
Leung described AI as a "double‑edged sword." He noted that the technology can "save a lot of time" and therefore money, but it also threatens jobs for many industry workers. He added that mainstream "popcorn movies" would benefit most from AI because they rely on calculation rather than creative decision‑making. When asked whether a film created with AI could be considered art, Leung paused and said it lacks a soul and therefore is not art.
SIFF’s 2026 programme included an initiative that gave selected teams a month to produce short AI‑assisted films. Leung said filmmakers are increasingly experimenting with new tech tools, but he remains skeptical about the artistic value of AI‑generated content.
The actor also expressed frustration with the way audiences consume cinema today. He said he "really hates phone viewing" and that he feels sad when movies are watched on small screens. Leung recalled watching films in large cinemas as a child and believes that movies should be experienced on the big screen.
Leung’s career has spanned Hong Kong, Hollywood, and European productions. He has worked with director Wong Kar‑wai on seven films, including Chungking Express and In the Mood for Love. In 2021 he played a supervillain in Marvel’s Shang‑Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He received a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the Venice Film Festival in 2023. SIFF is showing a retrospective of his work this year, but Leung declined to attend.
Regarding mainland Chinese cinema, Leung said the industry has moved from a "learning stage" to developing its own creative voice. He highlighted animation and small‑scale productions as bright spots that allow experimentation without large financial risk. He also suggested that censorship could be loosened to encourage a wider range of movies.
Leung’s latest film, Silent Friend, is his first fully European production. The story centers on a ginkgo tree, and Leung explained that the plant’s mycorrhizal relationships changed his view of plant intelligence. He described the shoot as "a kind of chaos" but noted that the crew found a harmonious rhythm, improvising rather than following a strict direction.
He currently has three projects in development: a feature with Hong Kong director Johnnie To, a production set in India, and a streaming series. Leung said that the director’s vision is the primary factor in his selection process, rather than genre or story.
In a separate interview with The Hive on 15 June 2026, Leung clarified that he does not want AI to use his likeness or voice in future works. While he is not opposed to AI for research purposes, he maintains a firm stance against its use for creating derivative content.
Leung’s comments come as SIFF 2026 screened more than 420 films from 4,100 submissions across 125 countries. The festival also highlighted the growing role of AI in the film industry, while the actor’s remarks underscore the ongoing debate about technology’s place in cinema. As the festival concludes, Leung’s upcoming projects and his retrospective screening will continue to shape discussions about the future of filmmaking.
