AI-Assisted Captain James Hook Feature in Works at Moonmax (EXCLUSIVE)

AI studio Moonmax has unveiled a slate of features signifying a push into more mainstream film production, including a project based on J. M. Barrie’s famed pirate antagonist, Captain James Hook.

The company, known for its AI courses and delivering talks and workshops at places such as Oxford University and the Miami Film Festival, has revealed what it describes as an “expanded, creatively driven production slate spanning feature development, high profile IP adaptations, and global education initiatives.”

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Among the new projects in development is “James,” an AI-assisted feature film inspired by the origin story of Hook. Conceived as a character study tracing the literary buccaneer’s life from Royal Navy officer to the mutiny that led him to piracy, the project will employ a hybrid motion-to-video production workflow that captures real human performances while integrating AI. The film will be executive produced by Elliot Grove, founder of both the British Independent Film Awards and Raindance Film Festival.

Beyond “James,” Moonmax is building a slate linked to both video games and literary properties. This includes “People of the Wolf,” the first instalment of the New York Times bestselling book series, North America’s Forgotten Past, by Kathleen and Michael Gear. This hybrid live-action/AI adaptation will combine traditional filmmaking with AI-driven animation techniques.

The company is also developing “Snowbear,” an original children’s feature following a family who discover a displaced yeti, driven from its mountain home by the expansion of a ski resort, what it says is an “allegory for habitat loss, climate change, and the need for environmental stewardship.” The film blends hand-drawn illustrations, storyboards, and animatics with AI-powered image-to-video technology.

“While we’re bullish about the possibilities, we do believe the future will be hybrid, not fully AI,” said Moonmax CEO Daniel Gordon, who also serves as Head of AI at Raindance Film Festival and Head of AI and Innovation at American Film Market. “I think the best creative projects will be those that prioritise human craft and talent: developing stories before even touching a computer, before bringing in AI selectively for execution.”