Jackie Chan's New Film Uses AI Face-Swapping: Controversy Arises Over Mixed Results

Action star Jackie Chan's latest film, The Legend, premiered on July 12. Recently, clips of his character appearing youthful in the film have circulated online, showcasing an AI face-swapping technique to make him look in his twenties. However, the results have not met expectations. With a production budget exceeding 300 million, the film's official social media announced on July 14 that it had already grossed over 70 million at the box office.

The Legend explores the life of Professor Chen, portrayed by Chan, across different eras. To achieve the desired youthful appearance, the crew utilized AI technology. The director acknowledged in a social media post that while the technology is still evolving, it is not yet perfect, and he hopes for viewers' understanding.

Audience reactions have been mixed. Many who have seen the film expressed dissatisfaction with the AI effect, with some commenting that Chan's emotional scenes appeared more humorous than intended, causing unintended laughter in theaters. A number of viewers voiced concerns about the overuse of face-swapping technology, finding it difficult to distinguish between actual performances and digital alterations. Currently, the film holds a rating of 5.5 on Douban, which is an improvement over Chan's recent release Vanguard and on par with Dragon and Horse Spirit.

In the film's comment section, numerous viewers have pointed out the concerning realism of the AI effects, falling short of their expectations. Yet, some fans highlighted the impressive fight scenes and immersive settings, suggesting a divide in public opinion regarding the technology's impact on the film experience.