LOS ANGELES, 24 October 2025 — Lassie, Babe, Beethoven, names that once brought real animals to the forefront of cinematic magic. But in today’s Hollywood, their modern-day counterparts are facing extinction.
A new Hollywood Reporter feature sheds light on a quiet but profound transformation sweeping through the entertainment industry: the disappearance of live animal actors. Once a fixture on every major set, trained animals are now increasingly replaced by computer-generated imagery (CGI), motion capture, and AI-driven digital replicas, marking a cultural and technological turning point for film production.
The Decline of Real-Life Animal Performers
For decades, animals were among Hollywood’s most bankable co-stars. From loyal canines to exotic wildlife, animal actors formed an emotional bridge between audiences and stories. Today, however, this tradition is being rapidly dismantled.
Animal wranglers and trainers report a sharp drop in studio demand. Major production companies now prefer digital animals, cheaper to manage, easier to control, and free from the logistical and ethical complications that accompany live animals on set.
“It used to be that every family movie needed a dog or a monkey or a horse,” said one veteran trainer interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter. “Now the only animals we see are pixels.”
The trend accelerated following the pandemic, which saw studios adopt virtual production tools to maintain continuity. As visual effects (VFX) technology matured and generative AI became commercially viable, the economics shifted decisively against live animals.
AI, CGI, and the Rise of Digital Wildlife
The entertainment industry’s embrace of AI-driven digital creatures is reshaping what it means to act, and who (or what) gets the part.
VFX studios now use a combination of 3D scanning, deep-learning animation, and motion-capture performances to replicate lifelike animal movement and emotional nuance.
Blockbusters such as The Jungle Book remake and Planet of the Apes franchise already demonstrated that AI-assisted animation can outmatch real-life animals in realism and consistency. What was once cutting-edge is now industry standard.
“Studios can create a photorealistic tiger that never tires, never eats, and never bites,” said a Los Angeles-based producer. “It’s risk-free, scalable, and ethical, at least on paper.”
Indeed, ethical scrutiny has been one of the biggest catalysts behind the shift. High-profile incidents of animal injury or distress on sets during the 1990s and 2000s led to widespread criticism, public outrage, and stricter oversight from animal welfare groups and unions.
Regulation, Reputation, and Responsibility
The American Humane Association (AHA), once the chief certifier of on-set animal welfare, now faces diminishing relevance as studios move toward fully digital alternatives. Many streaming services and international production houses prefer “No Animal Used” certifications as part of their sustainability and corporate responsibility pledges.
This shift has had a real-world cost. Dozens of professional animal trainers, wranglers, and suppliers — many of whom have worked in the industry for generations, are finding themselves out of work. Some are retraining as consultants for digital animation teams, while others have pivoted toward conservation or tourism industries.
“Our animals were family,” said one handler whose company once provided horses for period films. “Now, the studios call a VFX vendor instead of a stable.”
Asia’s Perspective: Lessons for Regional Industries
The transition has not been confined to Hollywood. Across Asia, where local film industries often emulate Western production trends, the use of CGI and AI in animal representation is gaining momentum.
In Malaysia, Thailand, and India, production houses that once relied on live elephants, tigers, or monkeys for tourism-based filming are exploring digital animal integration to meet rising global compliance standards.
This evolution could also reshape the region’s creative economy, reducing the need for live exotic animals, but increasing demand for VFX and animation professionals.
From a regulatory standpoint, Asian governments may find new opportunities to enhance animal welfare frameworks while supporting the growth of digital film economies. For countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, which are investing in creative technology hubs, the decline of live-animal acting could be a turning point toward more sustainable, humane, and high-tech storytelling.
The Ethical Future of Storytelling
While the debate continues, many argue that digital animals offer a net positive. They eliminate ethical grey areas, reduce production hazards, and expand creative possibilities. Others lament the loss of authenticity, that intangible charm that comes from a real creature reacting instinctively to human co-stars.
In the long run, experts predict a hybrid model may dominate: combining live-action reference footage with AI-driven animation to retain realism while protecting animals. Studios are also experimenting with AI “ethics filters”, ensuring that any digital representation of an animal adheres to humane standards, even if the animal doesn’t exist.
As one producer told The Hollywood Reporter, “Audiences may not notice the difference anymore, but they should care that the difference exists.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
