Marvel Rejects AI Claims for Fantastic Four Posters Amid 4-Fingered Controversy

Marvel Studios has officially denied the use of AI in the creation of promotional posters for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, following fan speculation surrounding a peculiar visual detail in one of the images.

This week, Marvel launched the marketing campaign for the upcoming film with the release of a teaser trailer and a set of promotional posters shared across social media platforms. One particular poster drew attention when viewers noticed what appeared to be a man holding a large Fantastic Four flag with only four fingers visible on one hand.

Four fingers spotted on a key figure in the poster? Image credit: Marvel Studios.

In addition to the missing digit, fans pointed out other anomalies such as repeated background faces, mismatched eye directions, and inconsistent limb proportions—elements often associated with generative AI imagery. Despite these observations, a representative from Disney/Marvel confirmed to IGN that artificial intelligence was not used in the design of the poster.

Regarding the four-fingered individual, some speculate that the fifth finger may be hidden behind the flagpole. However, based on the size and angle of the pole, this explanation seems unlikely. Others suggest it's simply a result of rushed or careless post-production editing—more a reflection of poor Photoshop execution than an AI-generated error.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps – Trailer 1 Stills

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So far, Marvel has not directly addressed the specific issue of the four-fingered figure, leaving room for continued online discussion. Some believe the anomaly could have resulted from image editing—such as removing a finger in post-processing without adjusting the rest of the hand accordingly. Additionally, the duplicated facial features seen in the crowd could also be attributed to standard digital techniques like copy-pasting background extras, rather than AI generation.

Regardless of the cause, the controversy has placed increased scrutiny on how future promotional materials for The Fantastic Four: First Steps are produced and presented. As fans eagerly await further updates, there’s already plenty of buzz around major characters like Galactus and Doctor Doom.