Artificial intelligence has become one of Hollywood’s most divisive topics. From questions about its ethical use to its impact on creative jobs, stars and filmmakers alike have been weighing in. Now, Reese Witherspoon — Oscar-winning actor, producer, and one of Hollywood’s most influential businesswomen — has shared her own take, and it has left many fans shocked and disappointed.
Reese Witherspoon’s Background and Power in Hollywood
Reese isn’t just a celebrated actress; she’s also the cofounder of Hello Sunshine, a production company that focuses on women’s stories. With major hits like Big Little Lies, Daisy Jones & the Six, and The Morning Show, her company reshaped the TV landscape. When she sold a majority stake to Candle Media in 2021 for nearly $900 million, she became one of the wealthiest actors in Hollywood, cementing her influence in the industry.
What Reese Said About AI in Filmmaking
Promoting the upcoming season of The Morning Show, Reese spoke with Glamour about adapting to changes in the entertainment industry. Her comments on AI sparked immediate attention:
- “It’s so, so important that women are involved in AI…because it will be the future of filmmaking.”
- “You can be sad and lament it all you want, but the change is here.”
- “It will never be a lack of creativity and ingenuity and actual physical manual building of things. It might diminish, but it’s always going to be the highest importance in art and expression of self.”
She even shared how AI is already part of her daily life, naming tools like Perplexity, Vetted AI, and personal AI assistants that she uses for research and recommendations.
Fans React: Support and Backlash
The reaction online has been divided. Many fans and industry workers criticized her comments, arguing that she overlooked the job losses AI could bring to writers, artists, and creators.
- One critic wrote: “Easy to say when you own a production company and won’t see your job vanish while your creative colleagues are thrown out.”
- Another suggested: “This is a businesswoman, not an artist speaking.”
- Others noted that her stance could worsen inequities in an industry where marginalized groups already struggle.
Still, some defended Reese, suggesting her perspective as both an actress and producer gives her unique insight: “If someone with her level of success is saying the change is here, she’s not kidding. It must be managed, not ignored.”
The Bigger Picture: Hollywood and AI
Reese’s comments come as Hollywood wrestles with AI’s future. Major figures like Steven Spielberg and Guillermo del Toro have warned against its use, while others, including Ryan Reynolds and Ashton Kutcher, have embraced it. The debate intensified during the Writers Guild of America strike in 2023, when protections against AI-generated scripts became a core demand.
Adding another layer, critics reminded audiences that Reese once championed NFTs in 2021–2022, a digital trend that quickly fizzled out. Some wondered if her AI endorsement would age the same way.
Reese’s comments underscore a growing reality: AI isn’t leaving Hollywood. Whether it becomes a tool to enhance creativity or a force that replaces jobs remains to be seen. What’s certain is that the industry — and its fans — will continue to debate how far is too far.