Jesse Eisenberg tests AI to make sure ‘it’s bad’ and hopes for ‘Now You See Me 4’
Eisenberg said AI is bad but also wonders “how far away is it from being good?”
Jesse Eisenberg has revealed that he regularly tests artificial intelligence to see how capable it is of writing scenes, admitting that he remains concerned about the technology’s potential impact on the entertainment industry. The actor also discussed his hopes for a fourth Now You See Me film alongside Julianne Moore during an appearance on Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast.
Eisenberg explained that he sometimes asks AI to write scenes as a way of checking how close it is to producing work that could compete with human writers. So far, he has found the results reassuring.
“I’m totally paranoid. I sometimes experiment with AI to see whether it’s good at writing. And it’s still not. I’m paranoid, so I check and it still isn’t. Thank God,” he said.
He elaborated on the experiment, explaining that he gives the technology specific creative prompts to assess its abilities. However, he is concerned about how quickly it could improve and what that might mean for the future of filmmaking.
“I’m just testing it to make sure it’s bad, and it’s still bad. So I’m relieved, but, like, how far away is it from being good?” Eisenberg said.
He also imagined a future in which viewers could use AI to generate personalised films featuring themselves and people they know. While he believes human creativity and the experience of watching stories together will continue to matter, he admitted he was uncertain whether artists would always be able to make a living from their work.
Moore offered a more optimistic perspective, suggesting that creative people would continue finding ways to entertain audiences and communicate ideas that computers might not be able to replicate. Eisenberg agreed, pointing to the enduring appeal of live theatre and ancient Greek plays as evidence of people’s desire to experience storytelling together.
The conversation also touched on their upcoming A24 musical comedy The Debut, written and directed by Eisenberg. The film stars Moore as Mona Friedman, a shy housewife who discovers a new sense of purpose after auditioning for a community theatre musical. Eisenberg said he wrote the role specifically with Moore in mind, praising her ability to combine comedy and drama in an unusual way.
Eisenberg also discussed his hopes of returning to the Now You See Me franchise for a fourth instalment. The actor, who plays illusionist J. Daniel Atlas in the film series, expressed interest in seeing another sequel made, although no fourth film has been officially confirmed.
The Debut is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on December 11, 2026, with Moore and Eisenberg continuing to promote the film during the awards season.
