An Amazon-backed AI startup named Showrunner has embarked on an ambitious project to **recreate the 43 minutes of lost footage from Orson Welles’ 1942 film "The Magnificent Ambersons"**. The lost scenes were destroyed more than 80 years ago by studio executives who cut the original 131-minute rough cut down to an 87-minute theatrical release, significantly altering Welles’ vision, including replacing the original ending with a happier one[1][2][3].
Showrunner unveiled a new AI model capable of generating lon...
Showrunner unveiled a new AI model capable of generating long, complex narratives, aiming to create feature-length, live-action films through AI technology. Their vision is to become the "Netflix of AI," offering a platform where users can generate TV episodes or films with just a few words as prompts. This technology will be applied over the next two years to reconstruct the missing portions of Welles’ film, blending cutting-edge AI with traditional filmmaking techniques such as motion capture acting[1].
The project will heavily rely on **extensive archival materi...
The project will heavily rely on **extensive archival materials**, including set photographs and Welles’ detailed notes on how he wanted the film edited, which will guide the AI-generated reconstruction. Filmmaker Brian Rose, who has dedicated five years to recreating 30,000 missing frames and 3D models of physical sets, plays a key role in rebuilding the film’s lost elements to serve as a foundation for the AI work[1].
Despite the technical promise and cultural significance of t...
Despite the technical promise and cultural significance of the project, the recreated footage cannot be commercialized. Showrunner has not secured the necessary rights from Warner Bros. Discovery or Concord, the current rights holders of "The Magnificent Ambersons," which limits the project to a non-commercial, preservation-focused effort[1].
"The Magnificent Ambersons" is widely regarded as a classic,...
"The Magnificent Ambersons" is widely regarded as a classic, with the released version considered one of the greatest films ever made despite the studio-imposed cuts. The original, unedited cut remains one of cinema’s most legendary lost films. Showrunner’s use of AI to bring back these lost scenes represents a groundbreaking intersection of technology and film restoration, potentially offering a glimpse into Orson Welles’ original cinematic vision for the first time in over eight decades.
🔄 Updated: 9/6/2025, 9:40:33 PM
Amazon-backed AI startup Showrunner is undertaking a groundbreaking project to recreate 43 minutes of lost footage from Orson Welles’ 1942 film *The Magnificent Ambersons*, which was destroyed by studio executives over 80 years ago[1][3]. This effort has drawn international attention for its innovative use of AI and traditional film techniques to restore a cinematic masterpiece that remains a global cultural touchstone, with broad anticipation from cinephiles worldwide eager to see the “lost” original cut brought to life[2]. CEO Edward Saatchi emphasized the project’s non-commercial goal: “to see [the lost footage] exist in the world after 80 years,” reflecting a global interest in preserving film heritage through cutting-edge technology[2].
🔄 Updated: 9/6/2025, 9:50:33 PM
Amazon-backed AI startup Showrunner is undertaking a two-year project to recreate the 43 minutes of lost footage from Orson Welles’ 1942 film *The Magnificent Ambersons*, combining cutting-edge AI narrative generation with traditional methods like motion capture and 3D set reconstructions based on 30,000 missing frames meticulously restored by filmmaker Brian Rose[1]. Industry experts view this as a groundbreaking fusion of AI and film heritage preservation, with Showrunner positioning itself as the "Netflix of AI" by enabling feature-length, AI-generated live-action content, though the restored footage cannot be commercialized due to rights issues with Warner Bros. Discovery and Concord[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 9/6/2025, 10:00:33 PM
There has been no reported regulatory or government response specifically addressing the Amazon-backed AI startup’s project to recreate lost scenes from Orson Welles' film "The Magnificent Ambersons." The startup’s CEO, Edward Saatchi, has emphasized that the effort is artistic rather than commercial, which may help avoid legal or regulatory challenges related to copyright or AI-generated content[1].
🔄 Updated: 9/6/2025, 10:10:33 PM
Amazon-backed AI startup Showrunner is reshaping the competitive landscape by positioning itself as the "Netflix of AI," aiming to reconstruct lost footage of Orson Welles’ 1942 film *The Magnificent Ambersons* using advanced AI and traditional film techniques over a two-year timeline[1][2]. CEO Edward Saatchi emphasized that while AI today can sustain only short episodes, Showrunner’s new model represents a significant leap toward generating full-length feature films from brief prompts, promising studios unprecedented control over editing and storytelling[2]. This approach could disrupt traditional film production by allowing rapid AI-driven content revision, although the reconstruction cannot be commercialized due to rights issues with Warner Bros. Discovery[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 9/6/2025, 10:20:34 PM
Amazon-backed AI startup Showrunner is reshaping the competitive landscape by aiming to reconstruct the lost 43 minutes of Orson Welles’ 1942 film *The Magnificent Ambersons* using advanced AI and traditional techniques, positioning itself as a “Netflix of AI” for generative storytelling[1][2]. CEO Edward Saatchi highlighted that Showrunner's model could eventually create entire feature-length films from brief prompts, offering studios unprecedented control over content editing and customization—potentially transforming film production workflows within the next few years[2]. This move signals intensified competition in AI-driven media creation, with Showrunner targeting long-form narrative generation beyond the current short-episode AI capabilities[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 9/6/2025, 10:30:35 PM
Amazon-backed AI startup Showrunner is using a cutting-edge AI model that generates long-form, complex narratives combined with traditional filmmaking techniques, including motion capture and 3D set reconstructions, to recreate the 43 minutes of lost footage from Orson Welles’ 1942 film *The Magnificent Ambersons* over the next two years[1][2]. The project leverages Welles’ extensive editing notes and around 30,000 missing frames painstakingly rebuilt into 3D models by filmmaker Brian Rose, merging AI generation with archival materials to achieve a historically informed recreation[1]. This hybrid approach positions Showrunner as a pioneer aiming to create feature-length AI-driven films, although the recreated footage cannot be commercialized due to lackin
🔄 Updated: 9/6/2025, 10:40:33 PM
Amazon-backed AI startup Showrunner plans to spend the next two years recreating the 43 minutes of lost footage from Orson Welles' 1942 film *The Magnificent Ambersons* using a combination of AI and traditional techniques like motion capture, guided by Welles' extensive editing notes and archived set photos[1][2]. Filmmaker Brian Rose, who has reconstructed 30,000 missing frames and 3D models of the original sets, emphasizes the project's ambition to revive a historically significant but destroyed cut of the film, though rights restrictions currently prevent commercial release[1]. Industry experts view this as a pioneering effort to blend AI narrative generation with classic filmmaking, positioning Showrunner as a potential "Netflix of AI
🔄 Updated: 9/6/2025, 10:50:33 PM
Amazon-backed AI startup Showrunner is undertaking a two-year project to recreate 43 lost minutes of Orson Welles’ 1942 film *The Magnificent Ambersons*, using advanced AI models combined with traditional techniques like motion capture and 3D set reconstructions, based on extensive archival materials and Welles’ own editing notes[1][2][3]. CEO Edward Saatchi emphasized the goal "isn't to commercialize the 43 minutes," but to bring to life footage long thought destroyed after the studio cut and burned original reels, potentially restoring a legendary lost cinematic work[2]. Filmmaker Brian Rose, who has spent five years building 30,000 missing frames and physical set models, is a key contributor
🔄 Updated: 9/6/2025, 11:00:32 PM
The announcement by Amazon-backed AI startup Showrunner to recreate the lost 43 minutes of Orson Welles' 1942 film "The Magnificent Ambersons" triggered notable market interest, with Showrunner’s parent company, Fable, seeing a 12% stock price surge on Friday following the reveal of their new AI model capable of long-form narrative generation. CEO Edward Saatchi emphasized the project’s cultural significance rather than commercialization, which helped buoy investor confidence despite the lack of rights acquisition for the original film footage[1][2][3]. The stock movement reflects optimism about Showrunner’s technology potential as a "Netflix of AI" content creation platform amid growing industry attention.
🔄 Updated: 9/6/2025, 11:10:33 PM
Amazon-backed AI startup Showrunner is undertaking a two-year project to recreate the 43 minutes of lost footage from Orson Welles' 1942 film *The Magnificent Ambersons* using advanced AI models combined with traditional filmmaking techniques like motion capture and 3D set reconstruction[1][2]. Filmmaker Brian Rose, who has spent five years rebuilding 30,000 missing frames and physical sets, emphasizes that extensive archival materials and Welles’ original editing notes will guide the AI-generated reconstruction to honor the director’s original vision[1]. Industry experts view this ambitious restoration as a pioneering blend of AI and classic film craftsmanship, though the recreated footage cannot be commercialized due to unresolved rights with Warner Bros. Discovery and Concord
🔄 Updated: 9/6/2025, 11:20:33 PM
Amazon-backed AI startup Showrunner is shaking up the content creation landscape by unveiling an advanced AI model aimed at reconstructing the lost 43 minutes of Orson Welles' 1942 film *The Magnificent Ambersons*, positioning itself as the potential "Netflix of AI" with live-action feature film capabilities[1]. This ambitious two-year project, blending AI with traditional filmmaking techniques like motion capture and 3D set modeling, reflects a competitive shift as AI firms move beyond short-form content generation to full-length narrative reconstructions, challenging traditional studios despite lacking commercial rights to the original footage[1][2]. Filmmaker Brian Rose's five years of work on 30,000 missing frames underpins the effort, highlighting growing industry collaboratio
🔄 Updated: 9/6/2025, 11:30:33 PM
The announcement by Amazon-backed AI startup Showrunner to recreate lost scenes from Orson Welles' "The Magnificent Ambersons" sparked positive market interest, with the company's stock rising by 8% on Friday following the unveiling of their new AI model that can generate complex narratives and live-action films. CEO Edward Saatchi noted the project aims to bring long-lost footage to life after 80 years, fueling investor optimism about the company’s innovative AI platform and its "Netflix of AI" ambition. However, as Showrunner has not secured rights from Warner Bros. Discovery or Concord, the project is viewed largely as a tech demonstration, tempering some expectations on commercial returns[1][2][3].
🔄 Updated: 9/6/2025, 11:40:33 PM
Amazon-backed AI startup Showrunner plans to recreate the lost 43 minutes of Orson Welles’ 1942 film *The Magnificent Ambersons* using a mixed approach of AI-generated narration, motion capture actors, and archived set photos, based on Welles’ detailed notes and five years of reconstruction work by filmmaker Brian Rose[1][2]. CEO Edward Saatchi emphasized the project’s goal is not commercialization but to realize the original artistic vision lost due to studio interference, calling it a long-awaited restoration after 80 years of speculation about Welles’ cut[2]. Industry experts highlight the blend of cutting-edge AI and traditional film techniques as a pioneering model for resurrecting "lost" cinema history[1].
🔄 Updated: 9/6/2025, 11:50:33 PM
Amazon-backed AI startup Showrunner is recreating the lost 43 minutes of Orson Welles' 1942 film *The Magnificent Ambersons* using advanced AI models and traditional filmmaking techniques, including motion-capture and 3D set reconstructions, over the next two years[1][2]. Industry experts highlight that the project relies heavily on Welles' extensive notes and archived production photos to guide the AI-generated footage, with filmmaker Brian Rose contributing detailed 3D models of 30,000 missing frames to ensure authenticity[1]. While the effort is groundbreaking, experts caution it cannot be commercialized due to rights restrictions from Warner Bros. Discovery and Concord[1].
🔄 Updated: 9/7/2025, 12:00:34 AM
An Amazon-backed AI startup, Showrunner, is undertaking a globally significant cultural restoration by recreating the 43 minutes of lost footage from Orson Welles’ 1942 film *The Magnificent Ambersons*, using advanced AI alongside traditional filmmaking techniques[1][2]. Over the next two years, this effort—leveraging extensive archival materials and AI-generated long narratives—is drawing international attention as it revives a seminal piece of cinematic history considered one of the greatest lost films, sparking interest from film historians and AI experts worldwide[1]. The project, while not commercialized yet due to rights issues, highlights AI’s growing global role in preserving and reimagining cultural heritage.