Did Marvel use AI to create posters of 'Fantastic Four'
05 Feb 2025

Marvel Studios has quashed rumors that artificial intelligence (AI) was employed to generate the teaser posters for its upcoming movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

The studio dropped a bunch of nostalgic-looking posters alongside the first official teaser on Tuesday (February 4).

However, fans observed anomalies in some of these posters, such as characters with just four fingers—a typical giveaway of AI-generated images.

Marvel confirmed traditional methods for poster creation
Confirmation

Despite the weird four-fingered characters in the posters, a Marvel spokesperson confirmed to The Wrap and io9 that AI was not involved in their creation.

The studio did not provide further details about these anomalies.

This confirmation comes even as fans remain skeptical due to Marvel's history of using generative AI, notably in the opening credits of its Disney+ Hotstar series Secret Invasion.

Director Ali Selim believed the AI aligned well with the show's themes.

'Fantastic Four: First Steps' set for July release
Film details

Set in a 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic world, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to hit the theaters on July 25.

The film sees Marvel's First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/ The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach)—taking on their most formidable challenge yet.

They must protect Earth from a ravenous space god named Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his mysterious Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).

More about 'Fantastic Four: First Steps'
Director's cut

Directed by WandaVision's Matt Shakman, the film also stars John Malkovich in a cameo and takes place in an alternate version of the 1960s.

Notably, Marvel Studios has a great record with July releases, owning three of the top 10 domestic openings at the July box office.

These include Deadpool & Wolverine (No. 1 with $211 million), Thor: Love & Thunder (No. 7, $144 million) and Spider-Man: Homecoming ($117 million).