Steven Soderbergh’s John Lennon: The Last Interview uses AI-driven visuals to add thematic surrealism and abstract illustrations, rather than attempting to resurrect Lennon, a choice Sean Lennon has blessed.

The AI work was developed in partnership with Meta, which provided tools and funding as part of testing new generative technologies in a film project.

Sean Ono Lennon supported the project, noting his father would have been interested in engaging with new tech and experimenting with it.

The documentary forms a coherent narrative by layering archival material and journalist perspectives over the lengthy interview to create chaptered segments.

The production acknowledges uncertainty about costs and feasibility and faces the practical challenge of representing Lennon’s philosophical musings without direct footage.

The Last Interview is slated to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival later in May 2026.

Budget constraints shaped creative imagery chosen to complement more abstract sections of the interview.

The film closes with reflections on ethical considerations and how audiences might respond to AI-generated representations of historic figures.

The piece situates the project within broader AI debates in film and notes recent Oscar rule updates restricting AI-assisted work to human-performed elements with consent.

The project layers archival stills and motion video over the interview, with plans to debut at Cannes within the month.

Paul McCartney is quoted on the ethics of finishing Lennon’s unfinished song, weighing whether Lennon would have approved.

The film centers on Lennon’s final in-depth radio interview with Yoko Ono, recorded just hours before his murder in 1980.