Plans to reconstruct lost footage from Orson Welles’ The Magnificent Ambersons using artificial intelligence initially drew widespread skepticism, with critics questioning both the artistic merit and ethical implications of the effort.

However, new reporting has shed light on the motivations behind the controversial project.

The initiative is being led by startup Fable and its founder Edward Saatchi, who has described the project as a labor of love rooted in childhood exposure to classic cinema.

The film, often overshadowed by Citizen Kane, lost 43 minutes of footage after studio intervention, material that was later destroyed.

Working alongside filmmaker Brian Rose, who previously attempted an animated reconstruction, Fable aims to blend live-action footage with AI-generated recreations of the original cast.

Despite technological advances, the company acknowledges persistent challenges, including visual inaccuracies and the difficulty of replicating the film’s distinctive cinematography.

Rights issues remain unresolved, though Saatchi has reportedly opened discussions with both Welles’ estate and Warner Bros.

While some prominent film scholars have expressed cautious support, others argue the effort can only produce an imitation rather than a true restoration.

The debate ultimately highlights a deeper question about whether technology should attempt to undo artistic loss or accept it as part of cinema’s history.

Source: Techcrunch