China's Bona Film Group Launches AI Film Amid Weak Sales

"Sanxingdui: Future Past," China's first fully AI-generated feature film, premiered in cinemas on a Friday, facing a challenging box-office environment with advance ticket sales lagging. As of Friday morning, presale revenue was reported at 80,000 yuan ($11,980), with total box-office takings expected to remain below 150,000 yuan, significantly less than the production cost of over 10 million yuan ($1.5 million).

The film, produced by Bona Film Group and taking more than two years to create with a team of nearly 100 people, features AI-generated actors, voices, and backdrops, and addresses the theme of humanity in a future influenced by AI. Jiang Defu, CEO of Bona Film Group, acknowledged the film's lukewarm reception but emphasized the pioneering nature of the project.

Audience reactions were mixed, with some expressing reluctance to pay for tickets due to perceived quality issues. Independent AI director Zhang Jun noted that the novelty of AI generation alone may not attract ticket buyers.