Bitcoin: Killing Satoshi, a thriller starring Israeli actress Gal Gadot, was produced on a reported $70 million budget and used generative artificial intelligence to create lighting and more than 200 settings.
Gal Gadot Negotiated Protections for Her Likeness
Gadot’s legal team spent six months reviewing technical clauses in her production contract to protect her physical likeness from unauthorized use of generative tools. The negotiations focused on preventing algorithms from altering her gestures, voice or other elements of her performance.
Gadot said on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that her performance in the film was entirely human and that no digital alterations were made to her likeness. She also described the audiovisual industry’s technological transition as inevitable, saying professionals must learn to work alongside new software systems.
According to a Variety report published on September 1, 2026, the SAG-AFTRA actors’ union contacted Gadot’s legal representatives for input on updating image-rights protections in future film-industry employment contracts.
Bitcoin Thriller Uses Generative AI for Production Design
Directed by Doug Liman, Bitcoin: Killing Satoshi also stars Casey Affleck, Pete Davidson and Isla Fisher. The story follows a global pursuit connected to the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of the decentralized network.
The production filmed every scene inside a former car dealership converted into a controlled studio with gray backdrops. No cast members traveled to external locations during the shooting schedule.
Producer Ryan Kavanaugh said a conventional production filmed across 200 real-world locations would have cost more than $300 million. Production figures indicate that computer-generated environments reduced costs by more than $200 million compared with a traditional approach.
The AI-based workflow also enabled filming sessions lasting up to 10 consecutive hours by eliminating the need to manually install lighting equipment and construct physical sets.
Gadot compared the working environment to a stage play because of the limited number of props. She told the press that the cast has not yet seen the final cut after it has been processed through the digital rendering tools.
Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Stories Enter Mainstream Film
Major commercial film studios are showing growing interest in digital assets in 2026. In previous years, films involving cryptocurrencies were more commonly independent documentaries or stories that associated crypto assets with illicit activity.
Industry data indicates that Bitcoin: Killing Satoshi will compete at the box office with One Attempt Remaining, a cryptocurrency-themed romantic comedy produced by Netflix.
The two films are described as the first major studio productions built around storylines connected to the decentralized finance ecosystem. The industry is continuing to assess how generative tools can reduce production logistics costs and shorten post-production schedules.
Post-production and rendering for Bitcoin: Killing Satoshi will continue through the final quarter of the year. The film’s official worldwide theatrical release date will be announced after that work is completed.
