Terrence Howard believes Hollywood is approaching a historic turning point, and he is not sounding an alarm about it. The "Empire" star, speaking in Los Angeles on Tuesday at an event for his new movie "A Good Hand Wasted," told TMZ.com that acting jobs face a future as obsolete as the dodo bird, describing the moment as the close of an era comparable to the industry's move away from silent films.
Asked about the slowdown in production, Howard predicted a difficult road ahead for performers while arguing that the industry must accept the changes coming from artificial intelligence. "You can't compete with inevitability," Howard told TMZ.com, adding that the transition need not be entirely negative even if established talent is left behind.
Howard cited Ben Affleck's reported $587 million A.I. startup deal with Netflix as proof that the business is already bracing for the shift. The figure underscores how aggressively major players are positioning themselves for a production landscape in which automated tools play a larger role.
Despite his forecast, Howard is not abandoning filmmaking. He told TMZ.com that the path forward lies in backing independent filmmakers and artists, particularly as the major studios deepen their embrace of A.I. technology. His comments place him among the industry figures urging audiences and creators to invest in smaller-scale, human-driven work.
The actor also has an alternative plan should Hollywood's structure be upended. When TMZ.com caught up with him in New York City the previous week, Howard floated the idea of running for president.
Howard's remarks arrive as the entertainment sector weighs the promise and peril of A.I., from script generation to digital likenesses. For local film communities and independent creators, his argument that the future depends on supporting artists outside the studio system offers a pointed message about where opportunity may lie.