Key Takeaways
- Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky’s AI studio, Primordial Soup, has created an animated series called "On This Day… 1776" that recreates moments from America’s founding year
- The series uses a combination of traditional filmmaking tools and emerging AI capabilities to tell the stories about the Revolutionary War
- The individuals in the series are voiced by SAG-AFTRA union actors, and each episode is released on the 250th anniversary of the historical event it depicts
- The series is produced by Primordial Soup with backing by sponsor Salesforce and will be distributed by Time Studios across Time’s YouTube channel
- The series aims to reframe the conflict "not as a foregone conclusion but as a fragile experiment shaped by those who fought for it"
Introduction to the Project
Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky has embarked on an innovative project that combines traditional filmmaking with emerging AI capabilities to recreate moments from America’s founding year. Aronofsky’s AI studio, Primordial Soup, has announced "On This Day… 1776," an animated series that uses a combination of "traditional filmmaking tools and emerging AI capabilities" to tell the stories about the Revolutionary War. As Aronofsky’s studio notes, the series aims to reframe the conflict "not as a foregone conclusion but as a fragile experiment shaped by those who fought for it." This approach allows for a fresh perspective on historical events, making them more relatable and engaging for modern audiences.
The Production Process
The production of "On This Day… 1776" involved a team of writers, designers, and AI specialists from around the world, who collaborated using Salesforce’s Slack. The series features an original score by Jordan Dykstra and was executive produced by Aronofsky, with the writers room led by Lucas Sussman. The individuals in the series are voiced by SAG-AFTRA union actors, adding a layer of authenticity to the animations. According to Ben Bitonti, president of Time Studios, "This project is a glimpse at what thoughtful, creative, artist-led use of AI can look like — not replacing craft, but expanding what’s possible and allowing storytellers to go places they simply couldn’t before." This approach highlights the potential of AI in enhancing the storytelling process, rather than replacing human creativity.
The Series’ Content
The series consists of short-form episodes, each recreating scenes and moments from 1776 on their 250th anniversaries. The first two episodes, "January 1: The Flag" and "January 10: Common Sense," have already premiered on Time’s YouTube channel. "January 1: The Flag" dramatizes the moment when the Grand Union Flag was raised on Prospect Hill, 250 years to the month after it happened. "January 10: Common Sense" follows Thomas Paine’s arrival from England, where Benjamin Franklin encourages him to write what others hesitate to say, resulting in the famous pamphlet that sent ripples through the colonies and across the Atlantic. As the series progresses, it will continue to explore key events and figures of the Revolutionary War, providing a unique perspective on this pivotal moment in American history.
Distribution and Release
The series is produced by Primordial Soup with backing by sponsor Salesforce, and will be distributed by Time Studios across Time’s YouTube channel throughout 2026. Each episode will be released weekly, timed to the anniversary of the historical event it depicts. This approach allows viewers to experience the events of 1776 in real-time, 250 years after they occurred. The trailer for "On This Day… 1776" is already available, giving audiences a glimpse into the series’ unique blend of history, animation, and AI-driven storytelling. As the series unfolds, it is likely to generate significant interest and discussion about the role of AI in historical storytelling and the potential for innovative approaches to educational content.
Conclusion
The launch of "On This Day… 1776" marks an exciting development in the use of AI in filmmaking and historical storytelling. By combining traditional filmmaking tools with emerging AI capabilities, Aronofsky’s Primordial Soup has created a unique and engaging series that reframes the American Revolution as a "fragile experiment shaped by those who fought for it." As Ben Bitonti notes, this project demonstrates the potential of AI to "expand what’s possible" in storytelling, rather than replacing human craft. As the series continues to roll out throughout 2026, it will be interesting to see how audiences respond to this innovative approach to historical storytelling, and what implications it may have for the future of educational content and filmmaking.
https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/darren-aronofsky-ai-revolutionary-war-series-human-voice-actors-1236644402/
