Marvel has firmly denied using AI to create posters for The Fantastic Four: First Steps following fan speculation triggered by an image showing a man with what appears to be only four fingers. The marketing campaign for the film began this week with a teaser trailer and a series of posters shared on social media.
One particular poster caught the attention of fans due to the man holding the largest Fantastic Four flag, who seems to be missing a finger. This image, shown below, has sparked discussions on social media.
Four fingers for this Fantastic Four superfan? Image credit: Marvel Studios.
In addition to the four-fingered anomaly, fans pointed out other elements they believed indicated the use of generative AI, such as duplicated faces, faces not correctly aligned, and oddly proportioned limbs. However, a spokesperson from Disney/Marvel clarified to IGN that AI was not involved in the creation of these posters, indicating that another explanation must account for the observed discrepancies.
The issue of the four-fingered man has led to several theories. Some fans speculate that the missing finger might be hidden behind the flagpole, though this seems unlikely given the angles and sizes involved. Others believe it could be a result of poor Photoshop skills rather than AI usage.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills
20 Images
Disney/Marvel has not yet provided a specific explanation for the four-fingered man, leaving room for speculation. It's possible that the missing finger was accidentally removed during post-production without adjusting the rest of the hand. Similarly, the repeated faces might be a result of digital manipulation techniques like copying and pasting background actors rather than AI generation.
The debate surrounding the use of AI in the The Fantastic Four: First Steps poster has heightened anticipation and scrutiny for future promotional materials related to the film. As we await further developments, there's plenty more to explore about The Fantastic Four: First Steps, including details on characters like Galactus and Doctor Doom.
