Hollywood Agents Chase $10 Million AI Deals at Cannes as Studios Retreat

2 articles · Updated · Page Six · May 25

$10 million has become the going rate in Cannes, where agents for a handful of A-listers privately pitched AI companies on partnerships, according to sources.
AI groups filled a vacuum left by studio austerity: Meta, Anthropic and OpenAI executives dominated the festival while only a few major studio leaders, including NBCUniversal's Donna Langley and Sony's Sanford Panitch, appeared.
That shift contrasted with months of public backlash from stars and creatives, including a January letter signed by about 700 industry figures accusing tech companies of training AI on stolen copyrighted work.
At Cannes, criticism was notably muted, with Demi Moore urging Hollywood to find ways to work with AI and Darren Aronofsky arguing the technology could make storytelling easier.
The festival underscored a broader power shift as cash-rich tech firms bankrolled parties and panels, extending their influence in entertainment while traditional Hollywood pulls back.

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