Marvel has firmly denied the use of artificial intelligence in creating posters for *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*, following fan speculation triggered by an image featuring a man seemingly with just four fingers. The marketing campaign for the film, which kicked off this week with a teaser for its debut trailer and a series of posters on social media, drew attention to one particular poster that raised eyebrows among fans.
The image in question, which you can see below, shows a man holding a large Fantastic Four flag, and fans quickly noticed what appears to be a missing finger. This sparked discussions about whether generative AI was used in the poster's creation, with additional observations pointing to duplicated faces, misaligned gazes, and disproportionately sized limbs.
However, a spokesperson from Disney/Marvel clarified to IGN that no AI was involved in the making of these posters, indicating that another explanation must be at play. Some fans speculate that the missing finger might be hidden behind the flagpole, though this theory seems unlikely given the size and angle of the pole. Others suggest it could be a result of subpar Photoshop work, critiquing the editing skills rather than implicating AI.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills
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Disney/Marvel has yet to provide a direct explanation for the four-fingered man, leaving room for speculation. Could it be a simple mistake in post-production, with the finger removed but not the rest of the hand adjusted accordingly? The repetition of faces might also be due to a common digital trick of copying and pasting background actors, rather than the use of AI.
The debate over the use of AI in *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* poster has sparked considerable interest and will likely lead to increased scrutiny of future promotional materials for the film. As we await further developments, there's plenty more to explore about *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*, including insights into characters like Galactus and Doctor Doom.
