For decades, the cinematic crowd scene has been a symbol of scale and spectacle. From ancient battlefields in Gladiator to bustling city squares in The Dark Knight Rises, filmmakers have relied on armies of extras to bring stories to life. But today, virtual extras and AI-generated backgrounds are challenging the need for physical crowds altogether.

AI technology can now generate thousands of realistic digital characters, each moving uniquely, blending seamlessly into the background. With costs of hiring extras, coordinating large sets, and logistical challenges rising, many studios are turning to AI as a faster, cheaper, and more flexible alternative. But is this the end of the traditional crowd scene, or simply the next evolution of cinematic storytelling?

This blog dives into the rise of virtual extras, their benefits and drawbacks, and the broader implications for filmmakers, audiences, and the creative economy.
 

The Rise of Virtual Extras in Modern Filmmaking
 

The use of AI-generated extras isn’t just science fiction—it’s already a reality in major productions.

From VFX to AI

For years, crowd duplication has been part of the visual effects (VFX) toolkit. Films like The Lord of the Rings used early crowd simulation software to generate epic battle scenes. But today’s AI systems go further, creating individuals with unique movements, clothing variations, and even personalities.

Cost-saving efficiency

Hiring hundreds—or thousands—of extras requires logistics, catering, insurance, and wages. AI-generated extras can drastically cut these costs. For independent filmmakers, this democratizes access to scenes that once required blockbuster budgets.

Creative flexibility

Virtual extras can be designed to fit any era, culture, or style, allowing filmmakers to craft historically accurate or futuristic settings without extensive casting. Need a medieval marketplace or a futuristic alien city? AI can populate it instantly.

The shift from physical extras to virtual crowd design reflects how technology is increasingly integral to cinematic world-building.
 

AI Backgrounds and the Illusion of Realism
 

While virtual extras handle people, AI backgrounds transform the environments they inhabit.

Dynamic digital environments

Instead of building sets or shooting on location, filmmakers can use AI-generated backgrounds to create entire landscapes. These environments are photorealistic, customizable, and infinitely scalable.

The blending of real and virtual

Modern productions often combine real footage with AI enhancements. A director might film a few dozen extras in a city square and then use AI to expand the scene into thousands. Similarly, AI can fill in missing details—skylines, architecture, or weather effects—creating a seamless illusion.

Expanding creative possibilities

AI backgrounds aren’t just about realism—they’re about creative storytelling. A dystopian city, an alien planet, or a mythical battlefield can be rendered at the push of a button. Filmmakers are no longer limited by budget or physical constraints, but only by imagination.

This shift allows directors to design narrative worlds at scale while maintaining cinematic believability.
 

While virtual extras offer efficiency, they also raise questions about labor and creativity in the industry.

Jobs at risk

Background acting has long provided income and opportunities for aspiring performers. With AI-generated extras replacing these roles, many fear a decline in entry-level opportunities. For unions like SAG-AFTRA, protecting actors’ rights in the age of digital duplication is an ongoing battle.

Intellectual property concerns

Many AI extras are modeled using scans of real people. This raises ethical concerns around consent, ownership, and likeness rights. Without proper regulations, performers risk losing control over their digital identities.

New opportunities for creative talent

At the same time, AI opens new avenues. VFX artists, AI designers, and digital choreographers are increasingly essential to film production. Actors may also license digital replicas of themselves, creating income streams beyond physical performances.

The transition to virtual extras will likely reshape the creative workforce, demanding new contracts, protections, and business models.

The success of AI extras and backgrounds hinges on whether audiences accept—or even notice—the change.

The uncanny valley problem

Poorly rendered digital extras risk breaking immersion. If characters move unnaturally or repeat animations, viewers may feel disconnected. The challenge lies in making virtual extras indistinguishable from real humans.

The psychology of scale

Crowd scenes are about emotion as much as spectacle. Whether it’s the awe of a cheering stadium or the chaos of a riot, audiences respond to scale. AI extras must capture not just numbers but emotional authenticity.

Acceptance of digital cinema

Audiences have already embraced CGI-heavy franchises like Avengers and Avatar. As AI-generated extras improve, most viewers may not distinguish—or care—whether a crowd is real or virtual, as long as the story feels authentic.

In many ways, the shift is less about technology and more about audience tolerance for digital immersion.
 

Rather than replacing traditional filmmaking, AI may evolve into a collaborative tool.

Hybrid production models

Future productions may blend small numbers of real extras with AI-generated crowds. This preserves authenticity while lowering costs, creating the best of both worlds.

Interactive crowd design

Directors may soon use real-time AI tools to “design” crowds on set, adjusting clothing, density, or mood instantly. Imagine tweaking a crowd’s energy level from calm to chaotic with a simple interface.

Beyond film: gaming and immersive media

The technology behind AI extras is already thriving in video games and virtual reality. As immersive storytelling grows, these tools will expand beyond cinema, creating interactive crowd experiences for audiences.

The future of crowd scenes is likely not their end, but their reinvention, with AI becoming a permanent co-creator in cinematic storytelling.