Social media platforms have been inundated with clips generated using Seedance 2.0, a cutting-edge AI video tool. These clips feature reimagined scenes, such as Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt engaging in a rooftop brawl, or characters from Friends depicted as otters, showcasing the tool's capabilities.

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has introduced Seedance, touting it as a means to deliver "an ultra-realistic immersive experience" to users.

The emergence of Seedance has sparked concerns in the entertainment industry, with Rhett Reese, writer of the Deadpool series, expressing his unease, stating that the rise of this technology may signal the end of traditional creative roles.

Many of the clips created using Seedance are based on copyrighted materials, including films and TV shows featuring well-known actors. As a result, major US studios have demanded that the platform immediately stop infringing on their intellectual property rights.

Seedance allows users to generate highly realistic clips from simple text prompts, and users have been creating scenes inspired by popular franchises such as The Lord of the Rings, Seinfeld, and Avengers.

Charles Rivkin, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association, stated that Seedance 2.0 has engaged in widespread unauthorized use of US copyrighted works in a short span, highlighting the need for the platform to respect intellectual property laws.

According to Rivkin, by launching a service without adequate safeguards against infringement, ByteDance is disregarding established copyright laws that protect creators' rights and support millions of American jobs.

The MPA has called on ByteDance to cease its infringing activities immediately, emphasizing the need to respect intellectual property rights.

The Motion Picture Association represents prominent US studios, including Netflix, Paramount Pictures, and Warner Bros Discovery, among others.

TikTok has acknowledged that some videos created using its pre-launch model have been shared, and the company claims to respect intellectual property rights and take potential infringement seriously.

In response to concerns, the company has suspended the ability for users to upload images of real individuals and is working to implement robust policies and monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance with local regulations.

A review by Forbes noted that Seedance 2.0 offers users a level of creative control similar to that of a human director, enabling them to produce high-quality content without requiring complex production tools.

While many users are excited about the creative possibilities offered by Seedance, Rhett Reese has expressed his concern about the implications of this technology on the entertainment industry.

Reese stated that he is worried about the potential loss of careers for many people in the industry, including his own, as a result of the rise of AI-generated content.

Reese clarified that his initial statement about the impact of Seedance was not meant to be flippant, but rather a genuine expression of his fear about the potential consequences of this technology on the entertainment industry.

Reese believes that the emergence of Seedance could revolutionize the entertainment industry, but also potentially lead to significant job losses, and he is concerned about the impact on his own career and those of his colleagues.

Heather Anne Campbell, a writer for Saturday Night Live and Rick & Morty, has noted that the content generated using Seedance is often similar to fan fiction, and that original ideas are still essential for creating engaging content.

Campbell observed that many users of AI visualization engines like Seedance are using them to create content based on existing franchises, rather than coming up with entirely new ideas.

Campbell suggested that having access to advanced AI tools like Seedance does not necessarily make it easier to create original content, as the hardest part of the creative process is often coming up with new and innovative ideas.

A donation of $25,000 (£21,000) has been made by film director Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, to a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $2m (£1.6m) for the family of late actor James Van Der Beek.

Van Der Beek, who passed away at the age of 48, is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children, and the crowdfunding effort to support his family has now exceeded its initial target of $2m.

Other notable donors include Oscar-winning actress Zoe Saldana, who contributed $2,500 (£2,108), and director Jon M Chu, who gave $10,000 (£8,432) to the cause.

A statement from the organizers of the fundraiser, Friends of the Van Der Beek family, expressed gratitude to all contributors, stating that their support is deeply appreciated.

The statement highlighted the significance of the donations, saying that the kindness shown by contributors is beyond words.

It also noted that the outpouring of support has been a source of comfort during a difficult time, serving as a reminder of the power of love, community, and the enduring legacy of James Van Der Beek.

Van Der Beek was perhaps best known for his starring role in the popular US teen drama series Dawson's Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003, although he remained associated with the show until 2023.

Although Van Der Beek and Spielberg never collaborated on a project, the late actor's character in Dawson's Creek was a fan of Spielberg's work, with posters of films like ET and Schindler's List featured in his bedroom.

At a Dawson's Creek cast reunion event last year, Spielberg paid tribute to Van Der Beek by sending a video message.

In the message, Spielberg said, "Dawson, you made it," and jokingly added that he hoped to one day have a room like Dawson's, filled with memorabilia from his films.

Van Der Beek passed away on Wednesday after a battle with bowel cancer.

He had been dealing with the diagnosis since August 2023 and publicly disclosed his condition in November 2024.

The GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the family with medical expenses, which had depleted their funds.

The statement from the organizers concluded by saying that the family is currently taking time to grieve and be together, and thanked everyone for their compassionate and generous support in honoring James Van Der Beek's life.

Ryan Reynolds, star of the Deadpool franchise, has revealed that his children often become exasperated when he is approached by fans on the street who want to discuss Wrexham, the football club he co-owns.

The actor has admitted that he always makes time for fans who want to talk about the club, a habit that tends to annoy his three daughters and son, who often have to wait while he chats with supporters.

In February 2021, Reynolds partnered with Rob Mac, star of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, to purchase Wrexham, the world's third-oldest professional football club, marking a new chapter in the club's history.

In a recent interview with The New York Times' Athletic, the co-owners acknowledged that, even after five years, they still do not fully comprehend the sport, but Reynolds affirmed his commitment to the club, stating that he is now "a Wrexham lifer".

Prior to the involvement of Reynolds and Mac, Wrexham AFC was facing significant challenges, having been relegated from the Football League in 2008.

In 2011, the club was taken over by its supporters in a bid to prevent it from going out of business, a move that ultimately helped to secure its future.

Since Reynolds and Mac acquired the club, now valued at £350m, Wrexham has achieved three consecutive promotions, elevating the team to the Championship.

Mac has credited the Sunderland FC Netflix documentary 'Til I Die as the inspiration behind his decision to purchase a football club, sparking his interest in the sport.

Mac recalled being drawn to the community of Wrexham, stating that the people reminded him of those he grew up with, creating a sense of connection to the town and its residents.

The faces of the people in Wrexham, Mac noted, were familiar, evoking a sense of nostalgia and shared experience that resonated with him.

At the time, Reynolds and Mac had not met in person, their only interaction being an Instagram message from Reynolds praising Mac's work on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Mac reached out to Reynolds via email, sending a lengthy message that would eventually lead to their partnership, as the club's takeover required significant financial investment, which Reynolds could provide.

The email proved persuasive, capturing Reynolds' attention and sparking his interest in the project, which would ultimately lead to their collaboration.

After joining forces, the pair began searching for a club to invest in, and their journey was documented in the Disney+ docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, which earned 10 Emmy awards.

Reynolds' children have grown accustomed to their father's fame, but they become frustrated when he is stopped on the street by people who want to discuss Wrexham, rather than his acting career.

Reynolds noted that conversations about Deadpool tend to be brief, lasting only a few seconds, whereas discussions about Wrexham can be more in-depth, causing his children to become impatient.

When someone approaches him to talk about Wrexham, Reynolds often engages in a lengthy conversation, much to the dismay of his children, who are left waiting.

Under the guidance of manager Phil Parkinson, the team is now focused on achieving its first-ever promotion to the Premier League.

Reynolds confessed that he has become deeply invested in the team's success, stating that he is "inconsolable" when Wrexham loses, demonstrating the depth of his emotional connection to the club.

Reynolds acknowledged that he has never been as invested in a team's winning and losing before, highlighting the significant impact that Wrexham has had on his life.

Mac outlined the pair's plans for the club's future, including the completion of the Kop stand at The Racecourse ground, which would increase the stadium's capacity.

In addition to their goals for the club, Reynolds and Mac hope to establish a program focused on arts and entrepreneurship at the local Glyndwr university, aiming to attract more students to the area.

Mac explained that their vision is to create a sustainable model that combines arts and business, drawing people to Wrexham and encouraging them to stay and contribute to the local community.

Mac expressed his desire to see the team win the Premier League and the Champions League, but emphasized that the club's success must be accompanied by the town's prosperity, as the two are inextricably linked.

Mac stated that if Wrexham as a town is unsuccessful, despite the club's achievements, then they will have failed in their mission to make a positive impact on the community.

Reynolds views the club as the heart of the community, serving as a central gathering place that brings people together, much like a community center or church.

Reynolds believes that the club performs a vital function in the community, fostering a sense of unity and shared identity among its members.