What happens when the world implodes at the hands of artificial intelligence?
Gareth Edwards’ “The Creator” sees John David Washington as humanity’s last hope after the AI detonates a nuclear warhead over Los Angeles. According to the official synopsis, amid a future war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence, Joshua (Washington), a hardened ex-Special Forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife (Gemma Chan), is recruited to hunt down and kill the Creator, the elusive architect of advanced AI who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end war…and humanity itself. Joshua and his team of elite operatives travel across enemy lines, into the dark heart of AI-occupied territory, only to discover that the world-ending weapon they’ve been ordered to destroy is an AI under form of a child (Madeleine Yuna Voyles). .
“Kill her or we’ll go extinct,” warns the teaser trailer, set to Aerosmith’s “Dream On.”
The film is directed by Edwards (“Rogue One”, “Godzilla”), who co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Weitz. The cast is completed by Allison Janney, Ken Watanabe and Sturgill Simpson.
This is Washington’s latest big-budget action role since Christopher Nolan’s 2020 epic “Tenet.” Washington also starred in Netflix’s political thriller “Beckett” and recently appeared in David O. Russell. He also directs the film adaptation of the Broadway play “The Piano Lesson” opposite Samuel L. Jackson. Washington’s brother Malcolm Washington is directing the August Wilson big-screen production, which also stars Ray Fisher and Danielle Deadwyler.
“The Creator” also comes on the heels of Academy Award-winning action hero Janney’s debut in Netflix’s “Lou.” Janney joked that he’s learned to “be a badass” for that heavy role, something he no doubt emulates with “The Creator.”
“The Creator” is produced by writer-director Edwards, Kiri Hart, Jim Spencer and Arnon Milchan. The executive producers are Yariv Milchan, Michael Schaefer, Natalie Lehmann, Nick Meyer and Zev Foreman. The film comes from 20th Century Studios, New Regency and Entertainment One.
“The Creator” will premiere September 29 in theaters at 20th Century Studios. Check out the trailer below.
