The war against artificial intelligence (AI) hits the humans hard in Netflix's new science-fiction action film, Atlas. Thankfully, Jennifer Lopez and Sterling K. Brown are here to fight back against the humanoid terrorists. Lopez portrays the secluded analyst and AI specialist, Atlas Shepherd. More importantly, Atlas could be the key to taking down the AI humanoids' leader, Harlan (Simu Liu), with the help of an AI named Smith. Brown joins her as Colonel Elias Banks, a determined soldier who uses his brawn and Atlas's brains to understand why Harlan turned against his creators and is now intent on realizing humanity's extinction.

In an interview with CBR, Lopez (who also acts as executive producer on the film) and Brown talk about the relevancy of exploring an AI and human relationship in Atlas, while also bringing heart to the traditional sci-fi and action formula. They also propose how they'd survive an AI war if one ever came to be, and the iconic action movie hero who would inspire their survival skills.

CBR: Jennifer, you're a one-woman show, which you're no stranger to, and you're no stranger to action movies. I was wondering how the creative process of Atlas stood out from previous action movies that you've done?

Jennifer Lopez: For me, the kind of relationship between Atlas and the artificial intelligence was really interesting. I remember the first time I read the script, I sobbed and I thought, "Yeah, this is a sci-fi [movie]. This is an action movie.'"But there's a really beautiful story about how these two kind of entities come together and really become more human. Smith becomes more and more human, and so does Atlas. That relationship of learning how to trust someone when you've never trusted anything since you were a child because of some traumatic event that happened to you is something that a lot of people can identify with.

Sterling K. Brown: Word.

Sterling, you're very well known for your grounded roles in This Is Us and American Fiction, which you were terrific in, by the way.

Lopez: Amazing.

Brown: Thank you!

Lopez: I didn't get a chance to tell him that.

You always need to be told that! How was it to do something like Atlas on a larger spectacle?

Brown: It's fun. There are a lot of green screen things. So there's a lot left to your imagination that you have to fill out. Then you get a chance to see it in post-production afterward. I was really excited for my eight-year-old to see me in something because he's like, "Dad, I don't ever get a chance. You don't do stuff for kids." I was like, "Okay, I should do something for children." It's not like I'm running around doing NC-17 stuff, but I guess when you're eight-years-old, it's all the same.

Then the exploration of the topic is something that is very much at the forefront of our consciousness right now. To be able to tell a story that forecasts the beauty of what it could be and the horror of what can be... I think that's what we're all talking about in our heads. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Hypothetically, if there was an AI war in the future, how would you survive it?

Lopez: How would I survive the AI war? I have no idea. I'm certainly no Atlas. [Laughs]

Brown: But I feel like you're similar to Atlas. You kind of have to go as analog as possible.

Lopez: That's good.

Brown: You have to sort of unattach yourself from anything technological in order to not be tied to it.

Lopez: Hand-to-hand combat.

Brown: You gotta go hardcore Krav Maga type stuff.

Lopez: Rambo! [Laughs]

Brown: Yeah, Rambo! Light it on fire.

Lopez: That's an old reference. Look it up.

Brown: Look it up. I'm eating animal pelts. [Laughs]

Lopez: Right! We're doing the thing. I'm putting on the bandana. I'm putting the blood on my face.

Brown: There you go!

Atlas premieres May 24, 2024, on Netflix.