Marvel Denies AI Use in Fantastic Four Posters Amid Finger Count Controversy

Marvel has firmly denied using artificial intelligence (AI) to create the promotional posters for The Fantastic Four: First Steps following fan speculation sparked by an image featuring a man with what appears to be only four fingers. The marketing campaign for the film began this week with a teaser for its debut trailer and a series of posters shared on social media.

One poster, in particular, caught the attention of fans due to the man holding the largest Fantastic Four flag on the left side of the image, who seems to be missing a finger. This unusual detail led to widespread speculation about the use of generative AI in the poster's creation, with fans pointing out other anomalies such as duplicated faces, misaligned gazes, and oddly proportioned limbs.

Despite these observations, a spokesperson from Disney/Marvel told IGN that AI was not used in the creation of these posters, suggesting that the issues observed could be attributed to other factors. Regarding the four-fingered man, some fans theorize that the missing finger might be hidden behind the flagpole, though the angle and size discrepancies make this unlikely. Others believe it could be a simple mistake in the post-production process, perhaps an oversight during Photoshop editing where the finger was removed but the rest of the hand not adjusted accordingly.

The repeated faces in the poster, another point of contention, might not necessarily indicate the use of AI. Some suggest it could be the result of a common digital trick involving copy/pasting background actors.

The controversy surrounding the poster has ignited a broader conversation about the use of AI in film marketing, and it is likely to lead to heightened scrutiny of future promotional materials for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. As fans await further developments, there's plenty of content available on the film, including features on characters like Galactus and Doctor Doom.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills

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Disney/Marvel has not yet provided a specific explanation for the four-fingered man or the other anomalies, leaving room for ongoing speculation. Whether these are mistakes in post-production or something else entirely remains to be seen.