Recently, Marvel found itself at the center of a buzz when two posters released alongside the initial trailer for “Fantastic Four: First Steps” faced allegations of being AI creations. Marvel, however, has been quick to squash these claims.
In today’s world, differentiating between AI creations and human work is increasingly tricky as technology advances. Unlike the past when people could likely pinpoint an awkward Photoshop attempt, identifying the origins of peculiar images now prompts immediate speculation about AI involvement. This scenario unfolded when images for “Fantastic Four: First Steps” were released. Upon inspection, it’s understandable why some might suspect AI trickery.
For instance, a woman’s face appears twice in the crowd, and notably, the person brandishing the largest Fantastic Four flag seems to have only four fingers—an irregularity often attributed to AI generation. Additionally, the lighting in both posters is undeniably quirky, a trait sometimes linked with AI artwork. However, Marvel representatives assured The Hollywood Reporter that no AI was employed in the posters’ creation. Accepting that at face value, it leads to another question: why do the posters look so substandard?
This situation hints at a broader issue of Marvel seemingly cutting corners, despite having the resources to deliver higher quality. What’s interesting is the disconnect from the first trailer, which impressively appears to be utilizing real sets, a departure from the usual reliance on green screens. If the posters are just poorly executed Photoshop projects, as the duplicated face suggests, it raises doubts about the attention to detail in other aspects of their projects. It’s troubling to think about what this says about Marvel’s priorities if minor tasks are given such little regard.
Hopefully, the film itself will meet expectations, but we’ll have to wait until its release on July 25 to know for sure.
