Simu Liu Claps Back at "Shark Tank" Star Over AI Replacing Extras

Marvel's Shang-Chi isn't holding back, calling out a controversial take on using AI to replace human background actors and defending the heart of filmmaking.

TL;DR

• "Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary suggested using AI for movie extras to save millions in production costs.
• Simu Liu, known as Shang-Chi in the MCU, strongly disagreed, arguing it unfairly targets low-wage workers and devalues human art.
• Liu drew on his own experience as a former background actor to emphasize the crucial role and learning opportunities these performers provide.

The Big AI Buzz: Hollywood's Latest Hot Topic Gets Spicy

Alright, let's talk about the elephant in the room that's been making waves across Hollywood: Artificial Intelligence. It's causing all sorts of intense discussions online, with some folks super excited about new possibilities for filmmakers, while others worry it'll snatch away thousands of jobs. We've seen projects get heat for using AI, and creatives having to explain their "minimal" use of it (like in the awards contender The Brutalist).

But recently, the conversation got even more heated when a well-known actor from the Marvel Cinematic Universe decided to jump into the ring with his thoughts. And trust us, he didn't pull any punches!

Mr. Wonderful's "Million-Dollar" Plan for Movie Production

The whole kerfuffle kicked off thanks to Kevin O'Leary, better known as "Mr. Wonderful" from the hit show Shark Tank. He's about to make his acting debut in Josh Safdie's upcoming A24 film, Marty Supreme, and during an interview on The Hill's "World of Travel: The Podcast" in October 2025, O'Leary stirred the pot big time. He argued that AI should be used to replace extras in Movies, claiming it would save film productions "millions of dollars."

He broke down his logic, referencing a film scene with "up to 150 extras." O'Leary said, "Now, those people have to stay awake for 18 hours, be completely dressed in the background... and yet, it costs millions of dollars to do that." His brutal suggestion? "Why couldn't you simply put AI agents in their place?" By his reckoning, since extras "are not the main actors" and "are only in the story visually," studios could save a bundle. He even floated the idea that a director could make two movies for $35 million instead of one for $90 million if they cut costs on background performers.

O'Leary even got a couple of names wrong while pushing his point, referring to the AI "actress" Tilly Norwood as "Tilly Norwell" or "Norwell Tilly" and the AI-generated band The Velvet Sundown as "Velvet Sunset." He praised "Tilly Norwell," saying, "She's 100% AI. She doesn't exist. But she's a great actress. She can come in any age you want. She doesn't need to eat, so she works 24 hours a day. The union is going out of their mind." He boldly stated, "I'd argue, for the sake of the art, you should allow [AI] in certain cases. An extra is a really good case, because you can't tell the difference."

Simu Liu Jumps Into the Fray with a Fierce Response

It didn't take long for Simu Liu, the star of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, to catch wind of O'Leary's comments. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to deliver a sharp retort, directly responding to a Variety article featuring O'Leary's take. Liu wasn't having it:

"Sure, blame the extras making 15–22 dollars an hour struggling to make a living and not above the line people making multiple millions."

— Simu Liu on X

Liu's point hit hard: extras are already earning considerably less than the "main cast" and "above the line" folks like directors, screenwriters, and producers who often rake in millions. He felt it was unfair to target the most vulnerable workers in the industry as the reason for ballooning production budgets.

Liu's Own Journey Fuels His Passionate Defense of Human Actors

But Liu didn't stop at just one tweet; he debated with other users who either supported O'Leary or wanted more explanation. When asked if he had a solution to AI displacing jobs, Liu brought up "techno-feudalism," arguing that technological breakthroughs disproportionately benefit the wealthy, leaving "ordinary people" (like extras) in the dust. He later expanded on his thoughts in an interview with Deadline while promoting the animated film In Your Dreams.

"First of all, I thought that take that I was responding to is a really dumb take, particularly really tone deaf and out of touch and also just kind of incorrect," Liu stated emphatically. "The idea that these background actors who are making minimum wage are somehow the reason why movies are now costing too much, that's simply not true."

His passion for the issue stems from his own early days in Hollywood. Before his big break as Shang-Chi, Liu experienced the grind himself, working as a background performer in movies like Pacific Rim after being laid off from his accounting job. He knows firsthand that being an extra isn't just a "side gig" for everyone.

"A lot of background performers use it as their primary income source while auditioning or pursuing other side hustles. I did it for a long time. Some people I worked with had been doing it for decades. It's hard work, and often totally thankless," Liu shared on X. He explained to Deadline that this early experience was "invaluable" for learning the technical aspects of filmmaking without prior connections or knowledge. "This idea of replacing actors with AI, it’s so antithetical to my development as an actor... In depriving the world of background actors, you’re also depriving people the opportunity to kind of pick up these skills," he added.

The Irreplaceable Essence of Human Artistry in Film

Beyond the economic impact, Liu emphasized the importance of keeping art a human endeavor. "Film is such an artist's medium. Of all the uses of AI that have come forth, replacing art is just, I feel like, the last thing that anybody wants to do with AI. I feel like art is art because it's human," he argued. He believes that even the subtle movements of extras contribute meaningfully to the authenticity of a scene. "It comes down to even the way that extras move…it all plays into the frame, and it’s all meaningful to the story. I really do feel like human beings are smart. I feel like when we see somebody in the background not moving like a human, we know. I feel like we could still tell the difference, at least right now."

Liu's remarks resonate with a growing sentiment among creative professionals who are worried AI could threaten artistic authenticity. Many filmmakers believe no machine can truly replicate the emotional nuances and imperfections that make human performances so powerful and relatable.

Hollywood's Loud Chorus Against AI Replacing Real People

Simu Liu isn't a lone voice in this fight. His stance aligns with many across Hollywood, including major industry bodies and other acclaimed filmmakers. The introduction of "Tilly Norwood," an entirely AI-generated performer, previously sparked a major industry uproar, with SAG-AFTRA (the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) quickly condemning it. SAG-AFTRA stated that "creativity is, and should remain, human-centered," and that the body "is opposed to the replacement of human performers by synthetics."

Even legendary director Guillermo del Toro, known for visually stunning and human-centric films like Pacific Rim (which, ironically, was one of Liu's first extra gigs), has voiced incredibly strong opinions. He famously declared "fck AI!" during a screening of Frankenstein, and later told Deadline that he'd "rather die" than use AI in any of his projects.

This widespread resistance underscores a powerful message gaining traction in Hollywood: cinema needs to remain about real people, real stories, and genuine human emotion, not just digital shortcuts driven by profit.

The Enduring Value of Human Contribution in the Creative World

It's admirable to see Simu Liu take such a firm stand for lesser-paid workers and the integrity of human artistry in an industry where the bottom line often speaks the loudest. By defending background actors, Liu reinforces the idea that true cinematic magic comes from human collaboration, experience, and authentic performance. It's a debate that pits business efficiency against artistic soul, and for many, the soul of filmmaking is worth fighting for. As Liu continues to star in major projects like Avengers: Doomsday, his voice will undoubtedly keep the conversation alive.

FAQ: Your Quick Questions Answered About This Hot Topic What is "Marty Supreme"? Marty Supreme is an upcoming A24 film starring Timothée Chalamet and Gwyneth Paltrow, with Kevin O'Leary making his acting debut. It's a 1950s period piece about a ping-pong prodigy and is reportedly A24's most expensive feature to date, with a budget north of $60 million (some sources say $70 million-plus). It's scheduled for release on Christmas Day in the US and January 1, 2026, in the UK. Who is "Tilly Norwood"? Tilly Norwood is an entirely AI-generated "actress" that was unveiled with claims that Hollywood talent agencies were looking to sign "it." This sparked widespread criticism from actors and SAG-AFTRA, who condemned the concept as jeopardizing human livelihoods and devaluing artistry. How much do background actors typically make? As Simu Liu mentioned, background actors (extras) typically make around $15-$22 an hour, which is often considered minimum wage for their demanding work. Many rely on this income as their primary source while pursuing other acting opportunities. Which other MCU movies is Simu Liu slated to appear in? Simu Liu is confirmed to reprise his role as Shang-Chi in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. There's also hope for a Shang-Chi sequel down the line, though no official details have been released. Sources

• MovieWeb
• Deadline
• Variety
• The Daily Dot
• Cinema Express
• No Film School
• Vulture (New York Magazine)
• The Independent
• The Hill's "World of Travel: The Podcast"