Fable’s Ambitious AI Quest to Recreate Orson Welles’ Lost Footage

On Friday, Fable, a startup dubbed the “Netflix of AI,” unveiled its bold plan to reconstruct the elusive 43 minutes of Orson Welles’ iconic film “The Magnificent Ambersons.”

Why This 1942 Classic Matters to a Modern AI Startup

Why is a company that recently secured funds from Amazon’s Alexa Fund focusing on a film from over 80 years ago? Fable has developed a platform enabling users to create animated content using AI prompts. Although they’re starting with their own intellectual property, Fable aims to expand into Hollywood IP, previously being used to create unauthorized “South Park” episodes.

Unveiling an AI Model for Long-Form Narratives

Now, Fable is rolling out a new AI model designed to weave intricate narratives. Over the next two years, filmmaker Brian Rose—who has dedicated five years to reconstructing Welles’ vision—plans to utilize this technology to remake the lost footage from “The Magnificent Ambersons.”

A Tech Demo Without Film Rights

Remarkably, Fable has yet to secure the rights to the film, rendering this endeavor a prospective tech demo unlikely to reach public viewing.

The Significance of “Ambersons” in Film History

One might wonder, why choose “Ambersons”? Even cinephiles recognize Welles’ second film often stands in the shadow of its more famous predecessor, “Citizen Kane.” While the latter is frequently hailed as the greatest film of all time, “Ambersons” is regarded as a lost masterpiece, marred by studio cuts and an incongruous happy ending.

Casualties of Artistic Vision

This sense of loss is likely what drew Fable and Rose to the project. The film’s current legacy—a reflection of Welles’ talent and the crippling interference he faced in Hollywood—underscores why “The Magnificent Ambersons” is still a topic of discussion today.

The Welles Estate’s Response

However, Fable’s oversight in not contacting Welles’ estate has sparked criticism. David Reeder, who oversees the estate for Welles’ daughter Beatrice, labeled the project an “attempt to generate publicity on the back of Welles’ creative genius,” concluding it will lack the “uniquely innovative thinking” characteristic of Welles.

Estate’s Critique and the Role of AI

Reeder expressed displeasure not solely at the project itself but at the lack of courtesy shown to the estate. While he noted that they have embraced AI technology to create a voice model for brand work, this endeavor appears different.

Artistic Integrity Versus Technological Innovation

While some might argue that consulting Welles’ heirs could legitimize the project, I stand skeptical. My interest in this “Ambersons” is minimal, much like my disinterest in witnessing a digitally recreated Welles marketing modern products.

Past Attempts to Revive Welles’ Work

This isn’t the first effort to posthumously refine or complete Welles’ films, but previous attempts utilized actual footage shot by Welles. Fable’s approach combines AI with traditional filmmaking; contemporary actors may portray original cast characters, digitally altering their faces post-production.

Rose’s Intent to Honor Welles’ Vision

Despite the questionable ethics behind this announcement, Rose seems genuinely committed to honoring Welles’ vision. Rose lamented the loss of a beautiful four-minute tracking shot, of which only 50 seconds remain in the current version.

AI Cannot Replace True Artistic Legacy

While I resonate with his sense of loss, I believe this tragedy is one that AI cannot mend. Regardless of how seamlessly Fable and Rose manage to recreate a scene, it will undeniably be their interpretation, not Welles’. The essence of Welles’ “The Magnificent Ambersons,” destroyed by RKO over 80 years ago, remains lost without a miraculous rediscovery of footage.