Elden Ring, Death Stranding Movie Studio Gets $75 Million From Google For AI Research, Report Says

Google Invests $75 Million in A24 for AI Research, Report Reveals

Google is reportedly investing $75 million into A24, a privately owned movie studio known for its unique and artistic approach to filmmaking. According to The Wall Street Journal, this investment is aimed at supporting AI-based research, with Google's DeepMind team collaborating with A24 to develop innovative tools for movie production and development. A24 is currently working on the Elden Ring film directed by Alex Garland, as well as the Death Stranding movie from Pig director Michael Sarnoski.

A New Frontier in Film Production

Google’s involvement with A24 marks a significant step into the film industry, even though it already has a strong presence through YouTube. This is the first time Google has invested in a movie studio, signaling a broader interest in applying AI to creative industries. The report clarifies that Google will not gain access to A24’s content library or data, and there's no indication that the AI tools developed through this partnership will be used in the Elden Ring or Death Stranding films.

Despite this, the collaboration has raised questions among critics and fans alike. A24 has long been seen as a boutique studio focused on auteur-driven storytelling, and its alignment with a tech giant like Google may challenge that perception. Moreover, the growing public concern over AI’s role in various aspects of life may lead to backlash against this partnership.

A24's Growing Influence in Hollywood

A24 has been on a steady rise in Hollywood, with a reported valuation of $3.5 billion after securing significant funding in 2024. This growth has been highlighted by the success of Backrooms, the studio’s biggest hit to date, which has earned $272 million globally. Backrooms has surpassed A24’s previous highest-grossing film, Marty Supreme, which earned $191 million worldwide.

The studio continues to expand its portfolio with high-profile projects. Recently, A24 signed Curry Barker, known for Obsession, to write and direct a new Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie. This move underscores A24’s ambition to continue producing both critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.

AI’s role in the film industry has been a contentious topic, especially with the recent strikes by the SAG-AFTRA union and video game actors. These strikes were partly driven by concerns over the potential misuse of AI in creative processes. As A24 ventures into AI research with Google, it will be interesting to see how this affects the studio’s reputation and its relationship with both audiences and industry professionals.