Nicolas Cage Says No to AI Waiver, Rules Out Future Work With Amazon

Actor Nicolas Cage says he will likely not work with Amazon again after refusing to sign an artificial intelligence waiver for the show Spider-Noir. The Prime Video series was cancelled after just one season despite winning multiple Emmy Awards and receiving strong reviews. Cage spoke about the issue on Saturday at the New York Comic Con.

The AI Conflict

Cage explained that Amazon has invested billions of dollars in OpenAI, making it a very AI-friendly company. The actor stated that he refused to sign a waiver that would permit the use of artificial intelligence on the show. Because he is not an AI-friendly actor, Cage noted that he is probably not going to work with that studio again. He added that he now wants to work with Gen Z directors who make things by hand from scratch.

Emmy Wins And Next Steps

Spider-Noir was abruptly cancelled by Prime Video and MGM after its first season. Just days after the cancellation, the show secured wins at the 2026 Emmy Awards for stunt coordination, sound editing, title design, special visual effects, and cinematography. The character originally debuted in the animated film Into the Spider-Verse, before Cage brought him to live action in this series following a private investigator in 1930s New York. During his Comic Con appearance, Cage also surprised fans by revealing he will star in the upcoming fifth season of HBO's True Detective.

Context

Artificial intelligence waivers have become a major point of discussion in the entertainment industry as studios increasingly explore new technologies for production. Actors and performers often push back against these terms to protect their likeness and creative work. Meanwhile, high-profile television series are frequently subject to sudden decisions by streaming platforms regarding renewals and cancellations.