First Steps Posters AI Use Denied By Marvel

The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer and posters were released on February 4th, officially kickstarting the long-awaited MCU film’s marketing campaign. However, Marvel Studios had to set the record straight after fans started hurling familiar accusations toward the studio.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer was largely acclaimed, increasing the already palpable excitement for the long-waited MCU debut of Marvel’s First Family. However, Marvel Studios unveiled multiple posters just before the Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer was released, and eagle-eyed fans instantly noticed irregularities. In a poster pictured below, fans spotted characters with four fingers, duplicated faces, irregular head sizes, and other bizarre details. This led viewers to one conclusion: Marvel Studios must have used AI to create the Fantastic Four: First Steps posters.

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The Wrap reports that a Marvel spokesperson confirmed to the online publication that AI was not used to create the Fantastic Four: First Steps posters. Despite Marvel’s clarification, several fans on Twitter remain unconvinced and have criticized Marvel Studios’ response. User Louis Wong humorously noted that if the Fantastic Four: First Steps posters didn’t use AI, giving the characters in the poster four fingers must have been a conscious decision. Others attributed the bizarre details in the Fantastic Four: First Steps posters to bad Photoshop work, which may not be far from the truth.

A Twitter user named Michael Kloska offered a potential explanation for the poster, citing his experience working in the “creative industry” and making similar pieces. According to Kloska, the designer is usually given stock images made by the production team and tasked with creating photos using the material provided. As such, the unusual details spotted in the Fantastic Four: First Step posters could be attributed to Adobe programs like Photoshop. However, Kloska concedes that AI was likely used for color grading or filtering.

This is not the first time fans have accused Marvel Studios of using AI. The first official Thunderbolts* poster prompted accusations that Marvel Studios used AI to create the image when fans noted that Lewis Pullman’s character Sentry seemingly had six fingers. While a reasonable explanation debunked these assertions, maybe fans can’t be blamed for jumping to conclusions. Marvel Studios openly used AI to create the Secret Invasion opening credits, sparking controversy for what would become of the MCU’s most critically panned projects.

AI continues to be a hot topic, particularly regarding its use in Hollywood. While some people like Donald Glover argue AI can be a useful tool if handled responsibly, others believe it deprives artists of jobs while delivering inferior results. Some fans responded to Marvel Studios’ denial with concern, noting that the time may come when fans can’t tell if AI was used on a project, which could prompt Hollywood to employ artificial intelligence more frequently. With The Brutalist being a frontrunner to win Best Picture and some acting accolades despite admittedly using AI to alter actors’ accents and create architectural blueprints and buildings, the controversy surrounding AI likely won’t wind down anytime soon. Fans may not have reason to cry foul now, but Marvel Studios has used AI before, so why wouldn’t they use it again?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 25, 2025.

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Source: The Wrap