"VFX sequence was completed 10 times faster": Netflix CEO defends the use of generative AI in one of the sequences of The Eternaut

Netflix’s new show, The Eternaut, has become the latest hot topic in the entertainment industry when it comes to generative AI. In a recent sit-down with ScreenRant, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos confirmed that generative AI was used on a visual effects shot of a building falling down in Buenos Aires. According to ScreenRant, he said:

"VFX sequence was completed 10 times faster than it could have been completed with traditional VFX tools and workflows."

Sarandos outlined this specific sequence, noting it took 10 fewer hours than would otherwise be the case with a conventional visual effects procedure. The comment instantly made waves about the evolving place of technology in storytelling.

The Eternaut is translated from the pioneering 1957 graphic novel by Héctor Germán Oesterheld and Francisco Solano López. It is a story rooted in political repression, resistance, and survival.

The cultural significance of this adaptation is especially strong in Latin America. The original novel has long been widely recognized there as an allegory for state violence and authoritarianism. Placing AI into such a deeply symbolic project has already raised logistical and ethical questions across the industry.

Generative AI and the building collapse scene in The Eternaut

Sarandos’s statement, “It was done 10 times faster than it would have been without it,” highlights the production’s practical necessity for the choice. The AI-driven workflow made it possible to achieve the needed scale without exceeding production costs or going over budget. Notably, Sarandos emphasized that all the employees involved were unionized and that their positions were not taken by the AI-generated sequence.

This point seems aimed at calming concerns among labor unions and creative professionals, some of whom have protested the growing application of AI in television and film production. The statement aligns with broader industry efforts to balance technological progress and workers’ protection.

Why The Eternaut's AI is so controversial

The controversy is less about the use of generative AI itself and more about where it was used: in The Eternaut. The original book was created during a time of crisis in Argentine history. Its themes—solidarity, anti-authoritarian resistance, and common human survival—are closely tied to the region’s cultural identity. Oesterheld himself, the author, was kidnapped and murdered under Argentina’s military regime. Thus, the story is indelibly connected to real struggles against inhuman systems of domination.

To use AI, even in a limited role, within this narrative has struck a chord with critics and audiences alike. For some, it feels symbolically hypocritical to automate any portion of a tale that celebrates the value of human solidarity and resistance. Though Sarandos presented the choice as a product of practicality, others argue that the symbolic repercussions cannot be disregarded.

Broader industry trends: AI’s role in VFX

The use of AI in The Eternaut is part of a growing trend in the entertainment industry. Studios across Hollywood have increasingly explored AI for background creation, facial reconstruction, language interpretation, and VFX enhancements. The appeal lies in faster workflows, lower costs, and adaptability during post-production. But these benefits are raising unanswered questions about authorship, creative authenticity, and labor rights.

What makes The Eternaut notable is that it’s one of the first high-profile Netflix series to publicly acknowledge the use of generative AI for a narrative element. While many productions are rumored to include AI-assisted scenes, Sarandos’s public admission adds transparency to an area often shrouded in secrecy.

Sarandos's defense and industry implications

Sarandos’s statements form a well-crafted defense. According to the BBC, he said:

"That sequence actually is the very first [generative] AI final footage to appear on screen in a Netflix original series or film. So the creators were thrilled with the result"

He clarified that this was not a blanket application of AI across The Eternaut, but rather a highly specific decision made under certain limitations. As per The Independent, he also said:

"We remain convinced that AI represents an incredible opportunity to help creators make films and series better, not just cheaper"

While this may mollify some critics, others remain wary, calling for more clearly defined industry standards and stronger safeguards against AI misuse. So far, Netflix has not revealed what AI software or tools were used in making the sequence. Nor have they disclosed whether generative AI will be used in later episodes or other parts of the production. That ambiguity continues to raise questions about transparency and future plans for AI use in storytelling.

Ethical questions and creative integrity

Another key concern is the potential loss of creative integrity. If even a politically charged series like The Eternaut can employ generative AI, what does that mean for the future of narratives about human struggle? Critics argue that visually powerful moments of catastrophe—such as the collapse of a building during a deadly snowstorm—should be created with the same human care as the moral core of the story.

Then again, AI in this instance was a tool, not an author. The technology was not used to steer the narrative, but to enhance its visual dimension. Whether this nuance will be accepted by fans of The Eternaut remains to be seen, especially as more productions begin to incorporate AI-assisted effects.

The use of generative AI in The Eternaut was minimal but significant.Ted Sarandos’s claim that it sped up the VFX sequence “10 times faster” than usual was not just a production detail. It became a lightning rod in a broader industry-wide debate. As studios continue to weigh creative goals against production constraints, The Eternaut stands as an early and symbolic example of how AI is entering creative workflows. It is also becoming a part of broader cultural conversations.

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Without further comment from Netflix on the continued use of AI in The Eternaut, the discussion now centers on what this moment means. It may not define the future of entertainment, but it will certainly shape how audiences, creators, and studios think about the ethics and implications of AI. This is especially true in stories where the human element matters most.

Also read: The Eternaut review: Netflix’s chilling sci-fi thriller turns a legendary comic into a modern masterpiece

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