Who's a good boy? AI can't replace doggie actors, director says

Director Robert Vince believes no artificial intelligence can replace the authenticity and emotional warmth that real animal actors bring to cinema, as he prepares for the release of Air Bud Returns in 2027.
Speaking to AFP during the CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas, Vince recalled filming scenes with Roscoe, the golden retriever starring in the latest instalment of the beloved Air Bud franchise. During one emotional scene, the dog naturally reacted with concern when two human actors began crying, something Vince described as completely genuine rather than trained behaviour.
Having worked on more than a dozen productions featuring dogs, Vince said he remains impressed by the realism and emotional connection animal performers create on screen. While technological advances and visual effects continue transforming Hollywood, he believes audiences eventually look beyond spectacle and return to stories driven by authentic emotion and character connection.
The new film marks the return of the iconic basketball-playing dog first introduced in the original Air Bud. The franchise later expanded into football, soccer and baseball-themed sequels, becoming a defining childhood favourite for many millennials. Vince said audience excitement surrounding the new movie has been overwhelming, especially among fans who grew up watching the original films and are now introducing them to their own children.
A major focus of the production, according to Vince, was preserving the practical and real-life performances that made the earlier movies special. He emphasised that Roscoe’s basketball skills and on-screen moments were achieved without relying heavily on CGI, maintaining the franchise’s long-standing promise of authenticity.
As Hollywood continues debating the growing influence of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, Vince remains confident that technology cannot fully replace the emotional presence of real performers, whether human or animal. “You don’t get any emotion out of that”, he said, insisting that genuine connection remains at the heart of memorable cinema. — AFP