The Bad Guys 2 End Credits Warn People Against AI Training

The Bad Guys 2 is doing more than just entertaining audiences—it’s also making a statement. DreamWorks Animation’s sequel to the 2022 hit The Bad Guys has stirred conversation not only for its story and cast but also for the bold warning it includes in its end credits. That message? Don’t even think about using this film to train AI.

Directed once again by Pierre Perifel, The Bad Guys 2 hit UK theaters early on July 25, ahead of its official U.S. release on August 1. The animated sequel continues the adventures of the lovable outlaw crew, delivering plenty of laughs and stylish action along the way. But this time, it also delivers a pointed message at the very end—one that has nothing to do with the plot and everything to do with the growing tensions between artists and artificial intelligence.

A Clear Message: No AI Training Allowed

The controversy began when X user Rendy Jones posted a screenshot of the movie’s end credits. The film includes a firm legal statement that reads:

“All rights in this work are reserved for purposes of laws in all jurisdictions pertaining to data mining or AI training, including but not limited to Article 4(3) of Directive (EU) 2019/790. This work may not be used to train AI.”

In other words, DreamWorks is making it crystal clear: don’t scrape our film, don’t feed it into your machine, and don’t attempt to use it to power any generative AI tools. This is a significant move, especially in an industry currently dealing with how AI is reshaping the creative process—often without consent from the original artists.

The Voice Cast and the AI Backlash

The film boasts an impressive voice cast, including Anthony Ramos, Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, and Danielle Brooks. While these stars bring life to the animated characters, the studio is making sure that their performances—and everything else in the film—stay protected.v

Jones praised DreamWorks in a now-viral post, writing:

“The end credits of BAD GUYS 2 said, ‘Screw AI. Try stealing our work! It’ll be a crime to your artless ass.’ All I must say to this is SAY THAT SH*T WITH YOUR WHOLE CHEST DREAMWORKS ANIMATION! SPEAK ON IT!”

The raw tone of this paraphrased statement resonates with many creatives across industries who feel their work is being scraped, copied, or “remixed” without proper attribution or compensation. While the official language in the credits is more formal, the sentiment is clear: DreamWorks is done staying quiet.

A Legal Warning, Not Just a Statement

By citing Directive (EU) 2019/790, specifically Article 4(3), DreamWorks is also laying the legal groundwork for enforcing this protection—particularly in European jurisdictions where data mining laws are evolving rapidly.

This isn't just a PR move. It signals a growing willingness among big studios to push back against AI developers who use copyrighted material without permission. If tested in court, statements like this could become a reference point in future copyright and data training cases.

A Critical Success in the UK

While the legal warning is grabbing headlines, the movie itself is also winning praise. Currently playing in the UK, The Bad Guys 2 holds an impressive 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Early reviews applaud its fast-paced plot, snappy dialogue, and visual flair—hallmarks of DreamWorks’ animated success.

And with its U.S. release just days away, anticipation is building not only to see where the story goes next—but to witness a studio taking a strong stance in a debate that’s far from over.

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