Marvel has firmly denied using artificial intelligence to create the posters for *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* after fans pointed out an image featuring a man who appears to have only four fingers. 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 a man holding a large Fantastic Four flag who seems to be missing a finger. This image, shown below, sparked discussions about the potential use of generative AI in the poster's creation, with fans also noting 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, indicating that other factors might be at play. Regarding the four-fingered man, some 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 work rather than AI involvement.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills
Disney/Marvel has not yet provided a direct explanation for the four-fingered man, leaving room for speculation. It's possible that the missing finger was an oversight during post-production, perhaps removed without adjusting the rest of the hand. Similarly, the repeated faces might be due to a common digital trick of copying and pasting background actors rather than using AI.
The controversy surrounding the poster has ignited 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 we await further developments, there's plenty more to explore about the film, including features on characters like Galactus and Doctor Doom.
