Some recently released posters accompanying the first trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps have sparked a bit of controversy. Rumors swirled suggesting that these images might have been created using AI, but Marvel has stepped in to deny those claims.
It’s easy to see why such speculation arises these days. As AI technology advances, distinguishing between what’s real and what’s artificially created becomes increasingly challenging. In the past, if an image appeared off, people would simply joke about it being a poor Photoshop attempt. Now, whenever something looks unusual, the immediate suspicion is whether it’s AI-generated. That exact scenario played out this week with the new Fantastic Four posters. Take a look at the images, and it’s understandable why some eyebrows were raised.
One reason for the skepticism is the appearance of a woman’s face twice in the crowd, and there’s an individual waving a large Fantastic Four flag with only four fingers. Missing or extra fingers are a classic indicator of AI-generated content. Also, AI images often have peculiar lighting, which these posters certainly seem to possess. However, The Hollywood Reporter quoted a Marvel spokesperson who assured that AI was not involved in the creation of these posters. If that’s the truth, the bigger question might be why they appear so subpar.
It’s possible this is part of a larger trend where Marvel opts for more economical production choices, despite having the budget to produce higher-quality content. Oddly enough, this doesn’t align with the first trailer, which suggests a return to using authentic, physical sets instead of the common green screen technique. The repeated face issue seems more like sloppy Photoshop work rather than an AI blunder, further complicating the narrative. It raises a concern: why invest in watching the latest Marvel movie if even the promotional materials seem to be compromised?
The true quality of Fantastic Four: First Steps will only be confirmed when the movie hits theaters later this year on July 25. Until then, audiences will have to wait and see if the film itself rises above its initial marketing hiccups.
