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Fox Nation has set the three-part series “Houdini: Back from the Dead” for an Oct. 14 debut, resurrecting the illusionist ahead of the 100th anniversary of his Oct. 31, 1926, death — all with AI.
“Houdini: Back from
the Dead” chronicles Houdini’s life through his own “words,” from a childhood ridden with a violent accident and strained relations with his family to his daring feats performed for audiences. The AI-generated “Houdini” persona will appear similarly to a documentary subject, answering questions about the late illusionist’s life for a “camera.
The series, produced by Red Rock Films, was made using more than 400 licensed photographs and archival footage. Human actors served as stand-ins for the historical characters — including his wife Bess, his mother, brother, friends and more — while the production team used AI to transform them into the figures. The scripts were written by humans, who pulled from words found in diaries, books and letters, while historical points were verified by experts and research. The characters’ voices were a mix of human and AI-generated voices.
“Houdini: Back from the Dead” is the larger Fox News banner’s first foray into the controversial sector of fully AI-generated content, an area most news outlets have opted not to explore. Lauren Petterson — the president of Fox Nation, Fox News’ streaming service — said the series represented “new creative ground by using emerging technology to bring one of history’s most fascinating figures to life for a modern audience.”
“We’re proud to showcase a new form of historical storytelling that allows viewers to experience Houdini’s remarkable life in his own words, while remaining rooted in extensive research and historical accuracy,” she said.
Watch the trailer below:
