Marvel Studios
The latest project in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Samuel L. Jackson-starring miniseries Secret Invasion, premiered on Disney+ today and most of the conversation seems to be focused on the opening credits, which were created with AI.
Needless to say, given Marvel Studios’ recent history with overworking visual effects artists, fans of the franchise were absolutely disgusted that they used AI instead of actual digital artists.
It certainly is ironic that Marvel would choose a show where aliens steal the identities of humans to utilize a technology that sees robots steal the jobs of humans.
Disney finding out there are robots who will create their VFX for free pic.twitter.com/ZgUGrvsNeF
— Post Cred Pod (@PostCredPod) June 21, 2023
I really loved the first episode of secret invasion but them using AI “art” for their intro is just wack
Do better Marvel pic.twitter.com/BCjOWA3xNt
— Okiro (@TheFirstOkiro) June 21, 2023
No way in hell Marvel used AI to create the secret invasion intro, this is the worst intro for any TV show ever #SecretInvasion pic.twitter.com/XePW5a4CtB
— Avatar Fdm (@Fdmdarkshadow) June 21, 2023
Even though most fans seemed to enjoy the first part of the six-episode series, virtually all of the online discussion focused on Marvel’s off-putting decision to use artificial intelligence.
“Nothing in the MCU can get worse than Ant Man I promise you”
Secret Invasion intro made by AI: pic.twitter.com/Xw2aKkRvhR
— 𝕂𝕁 (@KelzActually) June 21, 2023
Even ignoring the concerns over the MCU proudly dipping its toe into AI this early, the Secret Invasion MidJourney intro is repulsive. Genuinely embarrassing it was allowed to remain in the finished product. One of the more embarrassing moments of the streaming era
— Max (@EPM106) June 21, 2023
Very disappointed that Marvel Studios decided to use AI for the opening credits of Secret Invasion.https://t.co/uojLB4TdOl pic.twitter.com/iSgA7qm4o7
— Kunal (@Get2DaChopra) June 21, 2023
The decision is just the latest misstep from Marvel, who have undoubtedly eroded some of their cultural cachet in recent years due to the quality of their output both in theaters and on Disney+.
hearing secret invasion had an ai intro pic.twitter.com/LUfpWDejLL
— doctor idk (@bigmonkeong) June 21, 2023
Deeply dissapointed that Secret Invasion's intro is animated AI art.
The tech bros are going to see this as a big win, when it's only another symptom of the now-creatively hostile MCU production monster.
Who cares if "it fits the theme cause it's uncanny".
Disgusting.
— FRΞDΞRIK (@frederikhornung) June 21, 2023
Oh, oh cool so they literally just flat out used AI art to design the intro of Secret Invasion that’s so cool and hip and I definitely something that was well thought out and— pic.twitter.com/ZiHpgnrhRw
— Anne Reads Comics! 📚 (@AnneComics) June 21, 2023
Making matters worse is that Marvel sent out executive producer Ali Selim to try to defend the decision as an artistic one.
“When we reached out to the AI vendors, that was part of it — it just came right out of the shape-shifting, Skrull world identity, you know? Who did this? Who is this? It felt explorative and inevitable, and exciting, and different,” Selim said in an interview with Polygon.
In addition to Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Secret Invasion stars Ben Mendelsohn, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Charlayne Woodard, Killian Scott, Samuel Adewunmi, Dermot Mulroney, Christopher McDonald, Katie Finneran, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, and Don Cheadle.
Later this year, Jackson will also be seen starring in The Marvels, which hits theaters in November. During a recent interview, in fact, Jackson slammed the “incel dudes who hate strong women” like his friend Brie Larson, who he has co-starred with in films such as Kong: Skull Island, Unicorn Store, and Captain Marvel.