Marvel Rejects AI Use in Fantastic Four Posters Amid Four-Finger Controversy

Marvel Studios has firmly denied using artificial intelligence to create promotional posters for their upcoming film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, despite fan speculation triggered by a peculiar detail in one of the posters. The marketing campaign for the film began this week, featuring a teaser for the debut trailer and a series of posters shared on social media.

One particular poster caught the attention of fans due to an image of a man holding a large Fantastic Four flag, who appears to have only four fingers on his left hand. This anomaly led to widespread speculation about the use of generative AI in the poster's creation. Observers also pointed out other potential signs of AI involvement, such as duplicated faces, misaligned gazes, and disproportionately sized limbs.

In response to these concerns, a spokesperson from Disney/Marvel told IGN that no AI was used in the creation of these posters. This statement has led to alternative theories about the four-fingered man. Some fans suggest 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 simple error in the post-production process, perhaps a result of poor Photoshop work rather than AI manipulation.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills

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Marvel has not yet provided a direct explanation for the four-fingered man, leaving room for continued speculation. It's possible that the missing finger was present in the original image but was inadvertently removed during editing without adjusting the rest of the hand. Similarly, the repeated faces in the poster might be the result of a common digital trick used in background actor placement rather than AI-generated imagery.

The controversy surrounding the poster has sparked a broader discussion about the use of AI in film marketing, which is likely to increase scrutiny on future promotional materials for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. As fans await further developments, they can look forward to more content on the film, including features on key characters like Galactus and Doctor Doom.