The Marvel Cinematic Universe is no stranger to controversy, and the latest uproar has nothing to do with plot twists or casting choices. Instead, it revolves around a seemingly innocuous promotional poster for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which immediately sparked heated debate across social media.
Fans were quick to call out what they claimed were telltale signs of artificial intelligence (AI) being used to generate the artwork. Now, Disney and Marvel have been forced to respond, setting the record straight on the matter.
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Marvel’s ‘Fantastic’ History and Reboot Plans
Marvel’s Fantastic Four has seen its fair share of ups and downs in Hollywood. The franchise first made its big-screen debut in 2005 with a film starring Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis. While moderately successful, its sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), failed to maintain the momentum, leading to a canceled third installment.
Eight years later, 20th Century Fox attempted a reboot with a new cast featuring Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell.
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However, the 2015 film bombed at the box office, losing nearly $100 million and leaving The Fantastic Four in cinematic limbo.
When Disney acquired 21st Century Fox in 2019, Marvel Studios secured the rights to The Fantastic Four, finally allowing the superhero team to enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Fans eagerly anticipated their introduction, and excitement skyrocketed when Marvel Studios announced The Fantastic Four: First Steps, slated for release in July 2025.
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A Controversial First Look
The official teaser trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps was unveiled on February 4, giving fans their first glimpse of the new team: Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (The Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (The Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing).
The trailer teased their origin story, highlighting the moment they gain superpowers from exposure to cosmic rays during a space expedition.
However, it wasn’t the trailer that ignited controversy—it was the movie’s promotional poster.
Fans and critics alike took to social media to accuse Marvel of using AI-generated imagery instead of hiring human artists. Some pointed out what appeared to be duplicate character renderings, while others noted oddly shaped limbs and inconsistent lighting—flaws commonly associated with AI-generated artwork.
Bluesky users wasted no time calling Marvel out, with one critic writing:
“Marvel loses all goodwill from the Fantastic Four trailer for then releasing this AI slop as a poster.”
Marvel looses all goodwill from the F4 trailer for then releasing this AI slop as a poster
— Wayne Talbot (@waynetalbot.bsky.social) 2025-02-04T14:42:48.056Z
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As the backlash spread, speculation intensified, forcing Disney and Marvel to respond.
Disney and Marvel Address the AI Accusations
Amid growing criticism, Marvel Studios addressed the controversy in an exclusive statement to TheWrap. According to the company, no AI was used in creating The Fantastic Four poster.
The official statement read:
“Users flooded social media platforms like X and Bluesky with posts singling out each of the poster’s strange details and accusing Marvel of using AI to create the promotional art instead of hiring human artists. Despite what many suspected, though, a Marvel spokesperson confirmed to TheWrap that AI was not used in the creation of these posters.”
While Marvel’s response ended some speculation, not all fans were convinced. Some defended the artwork, arguing that the alleged flaws were more indicative of rushed Photoshop work than AI.
Others remained skeptical, pointing out that large entertainment companies have previously faced backlash for experimenting with AI-generated content.
Despite the controversy surrounding the poster, anticipation for The Fantastic Four: First Steps remains high. The film is set to launch Phase Six of the MCU, leading into Avengers: Doomsday (2026), the untitled Spider-Man: No Way Home sequel (2026), and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).
Do you think The Fantastic Four poster was AI-generated, or do you agree with Marvel’s denial? Let us know in the comments!