Marvel‘s recent release of promotional posters for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” sparked controversy over suspected AI usage, leading to an official denial from the studio.
The controversy explained: Social media users identified several irregularities in the promotional posters released alongside the film’s teaser trailer.
- Fans spotted anatomical errors, including characters with four fingers
- Multiple instances of the same woman’s face appeared across different posters
- The inconsistencies prompted immediate speculation about AI-generated artwork
Official response: Marvel Studios took a firm stance against the AI speculation through an official statement to IndieWire.
- A studio spokesperson explicitly denied any AI involvement in the poster creation
- The statement was brief and did not provide additional details about the poster design process
Film details: The upcoming Marvel production features an accomplished ensemble cast in this latest adaptation of the classic superhero team.
- Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn star as the main quartet
- Ralph Ineson takes on the role of Galactus, with Julia Garner cast as the Silver Surfer
- The film continues the original comic book premise of scientists gaining supernatural abilities after exposure to a cosmic storm
- The movie is scheduled for release on July 25, 2025
Industry context: The poster controversy emerges amid growing discussion about AI use in film production.
- The Oscar-nominated film “The Brutalist” recently disclosed its use of Respeecher AI technology to enhance Hungarian dialogue
- Director Brady Corbet defended the AI usage in “The Brutalist” as a targeted tool for language authenticity rather than performance alteration
- Disney’s Marvel Studios acquired Fantastic Four rights through the 2019 Fox merger
Reading between the lines: The swift denial from Marvel Studios highlights the growing sensitivity around AI use in entertainment, particularly as audiences become more adept at identifying potential AI-generated content. The controversy also underscores the challenge studios face in maintaining traditional production values while operating under intense public scrutiny in an increasingly AI-aware media landscape.
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