Overview

• CEO Edward Saatchi confirmed the in‑development project on CNBC after unveiling the FILM-1 model at Venice.
• The effort blends AI keyframe generation, motion and trajectory control, face and pose transfer, and voice tools with live-action shoots and 3D set reconstructions.
• Filmmaker Brian Rose, who has rebuilt about 30,000 frames and mapped camera moves from archival materials, will lead the reconstruction with VFX artist Tom Clive joining the team.
• Showrunner says it lacks distribution rights held by Warner Bros. Discovery and Concord and plans noncommercial academic or archival presentations, with work expected to run into roughly 2027.
• The project revisits footage RKO cut and destroyed in 1942, and early reaction from some film commentators highlights skepticism about AI authenticity and artifacts.