
Marvel Studios is no stranger to controversy, but the latest uproar has nothing to do with casting decisions or plot choices. Instead, the Fantastic Four reboot has found itself at the center of an unexpected debate after the release of a new promotional poster.
Fans immediately speculated that the artwork was created using artificial intelligence (AI), leading to widespread backlash on social media. As accusations gained momentum, Disney and Marvel were forced to address the claims, firmly denying that AI played any role in the poster’s creation.
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A Highly Anticipated Reboot With a Rocky History
The Fantastic Four has long been one of Marvel Comics’ most iconic superhero teams, but its big-screen adaptations have been met with mixed reactions. The franchise first hit theaters in 2005 with a film starring Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis.
While it performed moderately well, its 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, underwhelmed both critics and audiences, leading to the cancellation of a third installment.
In 2015, 20th Century Fox attempted to reboot the series with a new cast featuring Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell. However, the film was both a critical and commercial failure, leaving the franchise in limbo.
That changed in 2019 when Disney acquired 21st Century Fox, bringing Fantastic Four under the Marvel Studios umbrella and paving the way for its long-awaited entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
With Fantastic Four officially joining the MCU, anticipation for the reboot reached an all-time high. Marvel Studios confirmed the film’s release for July 2025, with a star-studded cast including 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).
A Poster That Sparked Controversy
Following the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps teaser trailer, Marvel unveiled a promotional poster meant to showcase the film’s aesthetic. However, instead of generating excitement, the poster immediately became a focal point of controversy.
Fans were quick to scrutinize the image, pointing out peculiar details that they believed indicated AI involvement. Some cited oddly shaped limbs, inconsistencies in lighting, and repetitive character renderings—common flaws found in AI-generated artwork.
Social media quickly erupted with criticism, with one Bluesky user 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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Others echoed similar frustrations, expressing disappointment that a major studio like Marvel might opt for AI-generated imagery instead of hiring traditional artists.
Marvel Responds to the AI Speculation
As criticism mounted, Marvel Studios stepped in to set the record straight. In an exclusive statement to TheWrap, a spokesperson for the company denied any use of AI in the creation of The Fantastic Four poster.
“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 statement attempted to quash the rumors, not all fans were convinced. Some speculated that the unusual design choices resulted from rushed Photoshop work rather than AI.
Others remained skeptical, arguing that large studios have increasingly turned to AI for cost-cutting purposes and that the poster’s imperfections suggested machine-generated elements.
A Growing Debate in Hollywood
This incident is just the latest in a growing conversation about the role of AI in Hollywood. The film industry has already faced criticism over AI use in scriptwriting, CGI effects, and digital de-aging.
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In 2023, Marvel previously faced backlash over its use of AI-generated opening credits for the Disney+ series Secret Invasion. The decision was widely condemned by fans and industry professionals alike, further fueling concerns that major studios are prioritizing AI over human creativity.
Given this history, it’s no surprise that fans were quick to suspect AI involvement in The Fantastic Four poster. While Marvel has officially denied the accusations, the debate surrounding AI in entertainment is far from over.
What’s Next for Fantastic Four?
Despite the controversy, excitement for The Fantastic Four: First Steps remains high. The film is expected to be a major milestone in the MCU, launching Phase Six and setting the stage for Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).
As Marvel Studios moves forward, all eyes will be on the film’s marketing and promotional materials to see whether they continue to spark debate. One thing is certain—fans will be watching closely.
What do you think? Was The Fantastic Four poster created with AI, or was it simply a case of rushed design work? Let us know in the comments!