Actor Sean Gunn (“Superman”) chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about his new film “APPOFENIACS.”
The synopsis is: As AI-generated deepfakes spread, a group of interconnected people descends into paranoia, blurring the line between reality and fabrication and unleashing violent consequences. The true horror lies not in the deception, but in what happens when people believe it.
Gunn is no stranger to moving between big-budget blockbusters and intimate independent films. In his latest project, “APPOFENIACS,” Gunn takes on a story that feels particularly timely, exploring the frightening possibilities of AI-generated deepfake technology and what happens when it falls into the wrong hands.
Gunn, who is also known to audiences as Maxwell Lord in the DC Universe, recently opened up about the film, working with writer-director Chris Marrs Piliero, the changing landscape of acting in the digital age, and what success means to him at this stage of his career.
What initially drew you to this script?
I first read the script a few years ago, and I really responded to it. It feels very current. It deals with something I think everyone is afraid of these days: the human abuse of AI-generated deepfake technology.
When that technology gets into the wrong hands which, really, could be anyone’s hands… that’s a scary thing. I really responded to the script, and I’m happy to be part of it.
What did the screenplay make you think about or teach you about yourself?
I know I’ve thought a lot more about these technologies: deepfakes, AI, and things like that, and I’ve really come to the conclusion that I’m not particularly interested in what computers can do.
Just because a certain type of technology can do something doesn’t necessarily mean we should do it.
I’m a human, and I like what humans make. I’m interested in what humans do. And if technology can go beyond that, I find myself asking, “Why? Who cares? Why are we doing this?” That’s kind of how I feel about it.
You’ve also become part of the Superman universe. How does it feel to be part of that world?
I was only in there for a cup of coffee. I looked at it as an introduction to Maxwell Lord, who has been able to keep going forward in the DC Universe. I love playing that character, and I’m excited to share more of him with an audience.
You’ve worked on both large-budget productions and smaller independent films. What attracts you to a project?
I go up and down the spectrum. I do the big ones, I do the small ones. I just try to chase good stories.
What was it like working with writer and director Chris Marrs Piliero?
Chris is great. I’ve known him for a long time.
When I read the script, I was super impressed with him. Not only was the writing good, but it was also a really smart topic and a smart way to construct a screenplay so that it could be done well on a small budget.
That was why I thought, “I want to be involved in this project.”
You’re an actor working in an era dominated by streaming, social media, CGI, and rapidly evolving technology. How do you navigate that?
I’ve always taken the approach with my career that you can’t point it in the direction it’s already going.
I could sit back and say, “I don’t want to do mocap work. I don’t want to do stuff with CGI. I don’t want to know why there are all these video games.” But it’s not going to change things.
I’m not a businessperson. I don’t create platforms or things like that. I’m a performer, so I go where the work is.
If there’s work in these spaces where I can try to portray a character truthfully, it doesn’t matter if that character is a human, a weasel, or a talking raccoon. I’m going to try my best to do it.
What would you like to say to your fans?
Oh, I love you. Thanks for watching. I’ve really come to appreciate, over the course of my career, that when people come up to me and say hello and they’re aware of what I do, that’s why I got into this to begin with.
I do this work because I want people to see it and respond to it, hopefully positively. But even if it’s negatively, that’s fine. I just want to do work that people watch and appreciate. So I’m grateful for every fan that I have.
What is the one thing you want audiences to take away from APPOFENIACS?
I really want enough people to talk about it so that they see it. It’s hard for little movies to get in front of the eyeballs that are going to appreciate them.
If the people who will like this movie, be interested in it, be compelled by it, or want to talk about it can just see it, I’ll be satisfied.
That’s why I’m really trying to push it and hope people know that it’s there and will take a look.
What does success mean to you?
That’s a very good question. For me, success as an actor mostly translates into opportunity. The more opportunities I have, the more successful I feel.
I don’t want to be in a position where I’m thinking, “Oh God, I need work. There’s a job coming down the pike, so I have to take it.” I much prefer being in a position where I can say, “Hey, you have some opportunities here. There are different things for you to look at.” I really like being able to continue to work and to work on projects that I think are worth telling. If I can do that for the rest of my life, it will be a success.
If you could give this current chapter of your life a title, what would it be?
“Renewed Energy.”
It really is. Earlier in my career, I was hoping that things would just sort of unfold in a certain way and that things would work out.
I think I’m being much more proactive now about doing what I’m best at and trying to help projects get made that I think people will enjoy and appreciate.
What advice would you give to young and emerging actors?
Do it as much as you can. Don’t worry about it. Don’t worry about trying to “make it,” whatever the idea of making it is.
Worry about the work and about getting better.
The thing about being an actor is that it’s not about you. It’s about the characters that you play, and it’s about being part of the storytelling process. So if you keep your eye on that ball, really care, and really care about the craft, the rest of it will come.
Finally, is there anything else you’d like audiences to know about the new film APPOFENIACS?
I would just say that APPOFENIACS opened on October 2 in select theaters. If you’re not somewhere it’s playing, keep it on your radar and check it out when you can—find it on streaming or watch it wherever it becomes available.
I think it’s a really interesting movie, particularly for horror movie fans. It’s a lot of fun.
To learn more about Sean Gunn, follow him on Instagram.
