DC Studios filmmaker James Gunn mocked an AI-generated image of actor Brandon Sklenar as Batman, highlighting the technology’s anatomical errors and signaling his opposition to artificial intelligence in superhero filmmaking. The public dismissal comes as Warner Bros Discovery has filed a lawsuit against AI image generator Midjourney for facilitating mass copyright infringement of its characters.
What happened: Gunn responded to a fan’s AI-generated Batman image on Threads, quipping “it would be weird to cast an AI Batman with a 14 inch arm.”
• The comment targeted the AI’s failure to properly render human proportions, specifically pointing out unnaturally short appendages that ignored perspective.
• Fans have been suggesting Sklenar as a potential Batman candidate, though DC Studios hasn’t announced casting decisions for Robert Pattinson’s successor.
The legal backdrop: Warner Bros Discovery recently sued Midjourney, an AI image generation company, over copyright violations involving DC characters.
• The entertainment giant alleges the AI startup enables users to create unauthorized images and videos of copyrighted characters like Batman.
• The lawsuit represents broader industry pushback against AI companies using proprietary content for training data.
Industry resistance: Gunn joins a growing list of Hollywood figures opposing AI integration in creative processes.
• High-profile directors including Steven Spielberg, Sean Penn, and Guillermo del Toro have publicly criticized AI’s role in filmmaking.
• “I don’t want AI making any creative decisions that I can’t make myself,” Spielberg told Reuters in June, emphasizing human creative control.
The contradiction: Despite widespread opposition, the film industry continues embracing AI technology.
• OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, announced partnerships with London and Los Angeles production companies to create a feature-length animated movie using artificial intelligence.
• The divide highlights ongoing tensions between creative preservation and technological advancement in entertainment.
Fan reaction: DC enthusiasts celebrated Gunn’s dismissive stance toward AI-generated content.
• “Love how he makes fun of these people,” one DCU subreddit user commented.
• Another fan praised the response as “grade A premium snark,” appreciating the director’s wit in addressing AI limitations.
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