Stop spreading these rumors about AI!
Even before the release of RuPaul's film «"Stop this train!"» has faced speculation and even calls for a boycott on social media due to rumors of the use of generative artificial intelligence for special effects.
However, a source familiar with the upcoming action comedy, which is being co-produced by Unapologetic Projects and World of Wonder, the companies that created RuPaul's Drag Race , confirmed to the publication Out , that generative artificial intelligence was not used in the making of the film.
The root cause of the controversy appears to be director and visual effects supervisor Gloria Cooke's review of the film. «"Stop this train!"» , published on the Letterbox website.
On May 28, Cook, who attended the preview screening, said that in in the film "Stop This Train!"« «"uses AI more overtly than I've ever seen in a movie, with many of the visual effects looking like they were created by artificial intelligence," and also mentioned the AI company listed in the end credits.
The claim quickly spread online, with fans expressing outrage that generative artificial intelligence could have been used to create what they believed to be purely human creative work.
In a post on X that has already racked up over a million views, @ben_eales wrote: "RuPaul's movie will apparently feature massive amounts of AI, with the leading VFX company literally being AI-powered... it's a blessing in disguise that this crap won't be shown in the UK.".
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Comedian Zach Zimmerman sarcastically wrote that he was surprised that RuPaul, who "cares deeply about the environment and is committed to ensuring that other artists are always fairly compensated for their work, would make a film using artificial intelligence!" (This is likely a reference to RuPaul's connections to fracking, which have become a running joke around the world. Drag Race .)
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«"My girlfriend just made a pained noise on FaceTime and when I asked what happened she said, 'RuPaul's new movie is full of AI,'" @dykegenius also wrote on X.
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So, what is real and what is rumor?
The director of the new film, shot in the style of «"Airplane!"» and with the participation of graduates «Drag Race» Starring Ginger Meaney, Jujubee, and Latrice Royale, and featuring Adam Shankman, the film follows a train driven by a drag queen that derails. Acme AI & FX contributed to the production.
According to a recent article in the Village Voice On how Acme AI & FX is changing filmmaking, the company "serves as a visual effects and artificial intelligence partner in in the film "Stop This Train!" »" and is also working on an upcoming film with Casey Affleck and Pete Davidson.» The Assassination of Satoshi» . The publication claims that Acme "positions itself as a company that creates production infrastructure, not as a replacement for creative work.".
«"The company's technology is used to reduce or eliminate many of the traditional costs associated with location filming, set construction, travel, permits, and logistical delays," the article states. The Village Voice , noting that actors, directors, writers and department heads retain their positions under the scheme.
Source from the company Stop! That! Train! clarified to the publication Out , that generative artificial intelligence was not used in the film's production. The film utilizes numerous special effects, depicting the fictional journey of a runaway high-speed train, the "Glamazon Express," hurtling toward a fictional natural disaster called "Storm Extravaganza." He also noted that the credits list the names of many visual effects artists.
According to a source, Acme uses AI as a tool, but does not replace humans in creating these effects. (A key criticism of the proposed use of AI stems from concerns that this technology is replacing human performers in drag shows—an entertainment industry based on radical self-expression and creativity.)
Previous controversies involving artificial intelligence in Drag Race.
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Last year RuPaul's Drag Race accused of using generative AI in an animated short film featuring cartoon versions of female graduates Drag Race Jinx Monsoon and Plasma; popular GreenGay account commenting Drag Race, called this act "heartless.".
In April Drag Race show also came under fire when it was revealed that artificial intelligence was used to create portraits of the contestants in episode 14 of season 18.
The use of artificial intelligence in Hollywood projection remains controversial, but it is becoming an increasingly common tool. Recently, AI has been used to create visual effects in films such as «"Stuntman"» , «Dune: Part 2» , «Late Night with the Devil »" And «"Totally unknown"» . AI voice generation technology was even used to give Adrien Brody's Hungarian accent in in the film "Brutalist"« sounded more authentic, and he won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2025.
Source close to film "Stop This Train!"« , urged fans to ignore rumors and support the film, which is notable for its inclusion of LGBTQ+ allies, artists, and drag performers.
Film premiere «"Stop this train!"» will be released in cinemas on June 12.
This article originally appeared on Out: No, RuPaul's "Stop That Train!" did not use generative AI.
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