Terrence Howard says Hollywood’s golden age is ending and that artificial intelligence will take over much of the work actors do today. The “Empire” star told TMZ on Tuesday in Los Angeles, at an event for his new movie A Good Hand Wasted, that acting jobs are disappearing. He compared the moment to the end of the silent film era.
Howard is not panicking. He said the industry should accept what is coming, because nobody can fight the inevitable, even if some big talent gets left behind. His advice for creators is to support independent filmmakers and artists as major studios lean into AI.
What is Ben Affleck’s AI deal with Netflix?
Howard pointed to Ben Affleck’s AI deal with Netflix as proof that the industry is already preparing. Affleck founded InterPositive in 2022 and ran it quietly, without revealing what it was working on. Netflix announced plans to buy the company in March, and a regulatory filing later showed that Netflix paid $587 million in cash.
Netflix has framed the purchase as a support tool, not a replacement for people. The company says its AI push is meant to speed up filmmaking without taking creative control away from humans. Netflix also said about 300 of its titles have already used generative AI.
Why does Terrence Howard sound so calm about losing acting jobs?
Howard has been talking about leaving acting for years. He announced his retirement from acting in September 2019, yet he kept working.
His history with Hollywood’s money machine explains a lot. In December 2023, he sued his former agency, CAA, over his “Empire” pay. The suit claimed a racial component in the agency’s alleged failure to negotiate in his best interest and said he was underpaid by as much as 50% compared with top actors on hit shows. He said he earned less than Jon Hamm and Kevin Spacey, even though “Empire” drew huge ratings. CAA declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Howard has also said his reasons for acting were mostly financial. He questioned how the agency treats every other Black artist and said he wanted to retire on the money he believes he is owed. From that perspective, his warning sounds less like doom and more like someone who stopped trusting the system long ago. For many Black performers who have fought for equal pay, his call to back independent creators will hit close to home.
Is AI replacing actors in Hollywood?
Not yet, and not without a fight. During the 2023 strike, SAG-AFTRA won contract terms requiring consent and pay before studios can create digital replicas of actors. Netflix is also selling AI as a production tool rather than a substitute for performers. Howard, though, believes the direction is clear, and he is telling artists to prepare now instead of waiting.
Is Terrence Howard running for president?
He floated the idea. When TMZ caught up with him in New York City last week, Howard talked about Nicki Minaj’s political moves and suggested he might run for president himself. Whether that is a real plan or just Howard being Howard remains to be seen. Either way, he is not short on ideas.
