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

Marvel has firmly denied using AI to create the promotional posters for The Fantastic Four: First Steps after fans pointed out an image featuring a man with what appears to be only four fingers. The marketing campaign for the film, which includes a teaser for the debut trailer and a series of posters released on social media, has sparked significant discussion among fans.

One particular poster caught the community's attention due to a man holding a large Fantastic Four flag who seems to be missing a finger. This image, shown below, has led to speculation about the use of generative AI in the poster's creation.

Fans have also highlighted other elements in the poster that they believe indicate AI involvement, such as duplicated faces, misaligned gazes, and disproportionately sized limbs. Despite these observations, a spokesperson from Disney/Marvel has confirmed to IGN that AI was not used in creating these posters, suggesting other factors may be at play.

Regarding the four-fingered man, some fans theorize that the missing finger might be concealed behind the flagpole, though this seems unlikely given the finger's size and the angle needed. Others argue that the issue might stem from poor Photoshop work rather than AI, pointing to a potential oversight in the post-production process.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills

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Disney/Marvel has not yet provided a direct explanation for the four-fingered anomaly, leaving room for continued speculation. It's possible that the missing finger was originally present but was inadvertently removed during editing without adjusting the rest of the hand. Additionally, the repeated faces could be the result of a common digital technique involving copying and pasting background actors.

The controversy surrounding the poster's creation has ignited a broader conversation about the use of AI in film marketing, prompting fans to closely scrutinize future promotional materials for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. As we await further details, we have extensive coverage on the film, including features on key characters like Galactus and Doctor Doom.