Hollywood movies are known for their huge, exciting scenes, busy city streets, cheering crowds, or giant battles. For decades, these moments were created using real people called background actors, or “extras.” Their job is to make scenes feel alive, even if they never say a word. But now, a new technology is changing how these scenes are made: AI‑generated extras.

AI extras are digital people created by computer programs. They can walk, talk, and move like real humans, and they can be copied thousands of times. For movie studios, this is a big deal. Instead of hiring hundreds of extras and having to pay them, feed them, and film all day, a studio can create a full crowd with just a few clicks. It’s faster, cheaper, and easier.

But while this is great for studios, many actors are worried. Background acting is often the first step for people who want to work in movies. Extras get to be on set, learn how filming works, and sometimes even get upgraded to speaking roles. If AI replaces these jobs, actors fear they’ll lose important opportunities to start their careers.

Another concern is likeness scanning. Some studios have started scanning real actors’ faces and bodies so they can create digital copies. Actors worry that their digital double could be reused in future movies without their permission or without paying them again. Actors’ unions are already pushing for rules to protect performers’ images and identities.

AI extras are created in two main ways: by scanning real people to make digital doubles, or by generating completely new faces using computer models. These digital crowds can look surprisingly realistic, and the technology is improving quickly.

No one knows exactly how this will shape the future of movies. Some people think AI will only be used for big background scenes, while others believe it could replace many human jobs. What’s certain is that AI is changing Hollywood, and actors want to make sure they still have a place in it.