Marvel's AI-generated 'Secret Invasion' opening credits received backlash from Disney+ viewers and artists alike.
The new TV show based on a Marvel comic book, 'Secret Invasion,' debuted on Disney's streaming service on Wednesday, June 21.
Marvel's AI-Generated 'Secret Invasion' Opening Credits
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: (L-R) Allana Williams, Jonathan Schwartz, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ben Mendelsohn, Samuel L. Jackson, Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman, Cobie Smulders, Ali Selim, Dermot Mulroney, Brad Winderbaum and Exec Producer/President, MarvelStudios Kevin Feige attend the Secret Invasion launch event at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on June 13, 2023.
In an era where artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, the entertainment industry has witnessed its fair share of AI-powered innovations.
And this time, Marvel Studios, renowned for its superhero blockbusters, recently made headlines with its AI-generated opening credits for the highly anticipated series, 'Secret Invasion.' However, as The Guardian reports, the move has quickly become a subject of controversy and backlash.
The 'Secret Invasion' director Ali Selim confirmed in an interview with Polygon that revolutionary AI technology generated the opening credits of the new Marvel series. He disclosed that the studio tapped a visual effects firm, Method Studios, to develop the AI-made intro.
Selim further explained that the opening sequence showcases what appears to be metamorphosing watercolor renderings of the TV show's main characters. He revealed that they based the intro on the Earth's invasion of shape-shifting creatures called "Skrulls."
The director of the Marvel show admitted to Polygon that, like most of us, he is not privy to how AI works. But despite that, he showed interest in how AI could help him make his vision come into a reality.
He adds, "We would talk to them about ideas and themes and words, and then the computer would go off and do something," as explained their process.
Read Also: 'The Marvels' First Trailer Is Out: Anything to Look Forward to Besides Brie Larson?
Marvel Fans, Artists Slam AI-Made Intro
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 19: Harriet Rose attends the UK Screening Event for Marvel Studios' and Disney+ Original Series "Secret Invasion" at The Cinema at Battersea Power Station on June 19, 2023 in London, England.
While the idea of AI-generated opening credits holds immense potential, it appears that Marvel's experimentation has sparked a wave of backlash from fans and artists.
One of the artists, who worked directly with Marvel's 'Secret Invasion,' feels "devastated" by the AI use.
As per Ars Technica, concept artist Jeff Simpson revealed in his recent tweet that AI makes the intro of the new series. He says, "[I am] devastated, I believe A to be unethical, dangerous, and designed solely to eliminate artists' careers."
Meanwhile, storyboard artist Jon Lam also took to Twitter to express his disappointment. He dubs the AI-made intro a "salt in the wounds of all Artists and Writers in the WGA strike."
Secret Invasion intro is AI generated. I’m devastated, I believe AI to be unethical, dangerous and designed solely to eliminate artists careers. Spent almost half a year working on this show and had a fantastic experience working with the most amazing people I ever met…
— Jeff Simpson (@jeffsimpsonkh) June 21, 2023
Hollywood writers and producers have gone to the streets since last May to protest higher pay and protection of their jobs, among other proposals.
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