AI-Generated Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise Fight Video Sparks Hollywood Backlash and Legal Firestorm
Artificial intelligence just ignited another heated debate in Hollywood. A viral AI-generated video showing Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise fighting each other has studios, unions, and industry leaders sounding the alarm.
What started as a social media post quickly turned into a full-blown controversy involving major studios, the Motion Picture Association, and SAG AFTRA.
Here is everything you need to know about the backlash, the legal threats, and what it means for the future of AI in entertainment.
Viral AI Video of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise Takes Over Social Media
A hyper-realistic AI-generated clip featuring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise in an intense hand-to-hand fight started circulating online on February 10. The video was created using the latest version of the AI tool Seedance 2.0, which is owned by ByteDance.
The clip was shared on X by Irish filmmaker Ruairi Robinson, who was previously nominated for Best Animated Short Film at the 2002 Oscars. Alongside the video, he wrote, “This was a 2-line prompt in seedance 2. If the hollywood is cooked, guys are right, maybe the hollywood is cooked, guys are cooked too, idk.”
The realism of the video shocked many viewers. The AI versions of Pitt, 62, and Cruise, 63, appeared locked in a dramatic physical showdown that looked straight out of a big-budget action movie.
This was a 2 line prompt in seedance 2. If the hollywood is cooked guys are right maybe the hollywood is cooked guys are cooked too idk. pic.twitter.com/dNTyLUIwAV
— Ruairi Robinson (@RuairiRobinson) February 11, 2026
Robinson did not stop there. He also posted additional variations created with the same AI tool. In one version, the AI-generated actors fight a zombie ninja. In another, they team up to battle a robot. One variation even shows the two discussing Jeffrey Epstein. None of these clips involved the real actors, and neither Pitt nor Cruise has publicly commented on the videos.
Disney and Major Studios Demand Action
The viral clip quickly caught the attention of major Hollywood players. According to reports from BBC and The Hollywood Reporter, Disney sent a cease and desist letter to ByteDance on February 13. The letter alleges infringement of intellectual property connected to the AI-generated content.
The controversy goes beyond just Pitt and Cruise. Other Seedance-generated videos that have surfaced online reportedly show characters from Star Wars battling with lightsabers, as well as Spider-Man and Captain America fighting each other.
These clips raised red flags for studios that own those valuable franchises. The concern centers on the unauthorized use of recognizable characters, likenesses, and intellectual property without permission.
Motion Picture Association Calls Out Seedance
The Motion Picture Association also stepped into the situation. Representing major Hollywood studios, the organization demanded that Seedance “immediately cease” what the MPA alleged was “its infringing activity.”
This strong language signals how seriously the industry is taking the issue. AI tools that can generate lifelike depictions of actors and famous characters without consent are seen as a major threat to both creative control and revenue streams.
The Motion Picture Association’s involvement adds legal weight to the growing backlash and suggests that studios may be prepared to escalate the matter if needed.
SAG AFTRA Condemns Unauthorized Use of Likeness
The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA also released a firm statement on February 13. The union made it clear that it stands with the studios in opposing the AI tool’s actions.
In its statement, SAG AFTRA said, “stands with the studios in condemning the blatant infringement enabled by Bytedance’s new AI video model Seedance 2.0.”
The union continued, “The infringement includes the unauthorized use of our members’ voices and likenesses. This is unacceptable and undercuts the ability of human talent to earn a livelihood.”
SAG AFTRA went even further, stating, “Seedance 2.0 disregards law, ethics, industry standards, and basic principles of consent. Responsible AI development demands responsibility, and that is nonexistent here.”
For actors, this is not just about one viral clip. It is about protecting careers, contracts, and the fundamental right to control how their image and voice are used.
ByteDance Responds to the Backlash
ByteDance, the parent company of Seedance and owner of TikTok outside the United States, responded publicly to the criticism. In a statement to the BBC, the company said, “respects intellectual property rights, and we have heard the concerns regarding Seedance 2.0.”
The company added, “We are taking steps to strengthen current safeguards as we work to prevent the unauthorized use of intellectual property and likeness by users.”
According to the BBC, ByteDance had already paused the ability for Seedance users to upload images of real people for AI-generated content. This move appears to be an attempt to limit further controversy while the company reassesses its safeguards.
What This Means for the Future of AI in Hollywood
This latest controversy highlights the ongoing tension between artificial intelligence innovation and creative industry protections. AI tools like Seedance 2.0 can generate highly realistic videos from simple text prompts. That kind of power is impressive, but it also raises serious legal and ethical questions.
For Hollywood studios, protecting intellectual property is critical. Franchises like Star Wars and Marvel represent billions of dollars in revenue. For actors, control over their likeness and voice is deeply personal and financially vital.
Meanwhile, both Pitt and Cruise remain focused on their upcoming projects. Cruise is set to appear next in Digger, which hits theaters on October 2. Pitt will star in David Fincher and Quentin Tarantino’s spinoff of his 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which is scheduled to debut on Netflix later this year.
The viral AI fight video may have started as an experiment with a two-line prompt, but its impact has been anything but small. As AI technology continues to evolve, Hollywood will likely face even more battles over consent, creativity, and control.
Summary:
- An AI-generated video showing Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise fighting went viral on social media on February 10.
- The clip was created using Seedance 2.0, an AI video tool owned by ByteDance.
- Irish filmmaker Ruairi Robinson shared the video and wrote, “This was a 2-line prompt in Seedance 2. If the hollywood is cooked, guys are right, maybe the hollywood is cooked, guys are cooked too, idk.”
- Additional AI-generated clips featured the actors battling a zombie ninja, fighting a robot, and discussing Jeffrey Epstein.
- Disney sent a cease and desist letter to ByteDance alleging intellectual property infringement, according to BBC and The Hollywood Reporter.
- Other Seedance videos reportedly showed characters from Star Wars as well as Spider-Man and Captain America in combat scenes.
- The Motion Picture Association demanded that Seedance “immediately cease” what it called “its infringing activity.”
- SAG-AFTRA condemned the tool, stating, “The infringement includes the unauthorized use of our members’ voices and likenesses. This is unacceptable and undercuts the ability of human talent to earn a livelihood.”
- ByteDance responded by saying it “respects intellectual property rights and we have heard the concerns regarding Seedance 2.0.”
- The company has paused the ability for users to upload images of real people while strengthening safeguards.
