Did AI Create the Fantastic Four: First Steps Posters? Marvel Denies, Raising Questions About Their Quality

Recently, the release of a couple of posters along with the first trailer for “Fantastic Four: First Steps” sparked controversy over alleged AI usage, which Marvel has promptly denied.

The tricky part these days is distinguishing between AI-generated images and the real deal, as technology’s progress has made it far more challenging. Gone are the times when a poorly done image was immediately chalked up to bad Photoshop; now, the first question that arises when encountering an unusual visual is, “Was this made by AI?” This very question came to the fore this week when the posters for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” were unveiled alongside the trailer. Upon examining them, it’s understandable why some would jump to that conclusion.

For starters, there’s a peculiar duplication of a woman’s face in the crowd, and the person holding the largest Fantastic Four flag seems to have just four fingers—missing or extra fingers being a classic tell of AI-generated imagery. Moreover, both posters possess an unusual lighting quality typical of AI-generated visuals. However, a Marvel spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter that AI wasn’t employed in creating these posters. If that’s the case, it begs the question: why do the posters look subpar?

This issue seems symptomatic of a larger trend where Marvel might be cutting corners, despite having the resources to produce higher-quality visuals. Oddly enough, this slapdash approach doesn’t match the vibe of the trailer, which appears to rely on tangible, real-world sets rather than the ubiquitous green screen. While it’s more plausible that these are simply poorly executed Photoshop jobs, especially because the repeated face anomaly isn’t typically something AI would replicate, it doesn’t inspire confidence. It makes me wonder why I would invest in watching a new Marvel film when even minor aspects seem to be skimped on like this.

Of course, the actual movie may turn out just fine, but we won’t know for sure until it’s released on July 25th later this year.