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Following a major outcry over the show’s usage of artificial intelligence, the upcoming Amazon Prime Video animated series “Punky Duck” has lost “The Book of Life” director Jorge R. Gutierrez.
The streaming/shopping giant recently ordered three new series to be produced through its GenAI Creators’ Fund with “Punky Duck” being one of them. Gutierrez was attached.
The series follows a lovable punk duck and his best friend, Smiley Cat, as they tear through a wildly exaggerated Los Angeles. They stumble into alien invasions, giant monsters, robot criminal conspiracies, telenovela-style family drama, and supernatural mayhem.
In the wake of significant backlash on social media against the initiative, Gutierrez says on a social media post he’s exiting the show:
“I have decided to drop out of the AI program at Amazon. I will not be making a Punky Duck series. Actions speak louder than words. My intent was to showcase artists, both new and seasoned, both inside and outside the studios, driving this new tech. My sincerest apology to those I upset. I promise to do better moving forward. Thank you for your patience with me. I will try harder.”
The two other shows announced under the initiative are BuzzFeed Studios’ “Cupcake & Friends” and “Love, Diana Music Hunters” fro m SpongeBob developer Albie Hecht.
All three projects are being powered by the AI production platform Project Nara.
Source: Indiewire
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