Summary
TheFantastic Four: First Stepstrailer was preceded by multiple posters to build anticipation for the preview. Marvel Studios was quickly accused of using AI to create the posters, but one fan took it upon themselves to at least partially disprove these claims.
TheFantastic Four: First Stepstrailer was released to general acclaim. While some fans criticizedThe Thing’s voice in theFantastic Four: First Stepstrailer, most were thrilled by what appeared to be the most comic-accurate depiction of Marvel’s First Family in a live-action feature film after multiple failed attempts. On the other hand,The Fantastic Four: First Stepsposters featured what some observers characterized as irregularities that led many to suspect they were made with AI.
Marvel Studiosdenied using AI to create theFantastic Four: First Stepsposters, but some fans weren’t convinced. Bizarre details such as characters with four fingers, unusual head sizes, and repeated faces had fans believing that poor Photoshop work was the only reasonable explanation for these anomalies if AI wasn’t involved. One of these curious details involved the hands of a character waving a Fantastic Four flag, who was seemingly holding onto the flagpole with only four fingers (seen below). Reddit userPumpkin_Sushishared photos of themself holding a spoon in the same way as the character in theFantastic Four: First Stepsposter, seemingly proving that the fifth finger could be hidden. “Finger is curled like the others, and behind the spoon. Try it yourself! By matching the angle the finger is hidden by the thumb,” wrote Pumpkin_Sushi.
The photos prompted another debate among fans. Some felt this was a reasonable explanation for the “missing finger,” with many fans noting they attempted this experiment themself. UserHungry_Horacesaid they tried the same “pose” with a large marker and noticed a specific angle where the index finger is obscured behind the thumb. However, other fans felt that as satisfactory as this explanation was, it was still an unnatural and uncomfortable way to wave a flag. Reddit useryedi001humorously suggested the artist on theFantastic Four: First Stepsposter was inspired byDeadpool creator co-creator Rob Liefeld, whose art style is frequently roasted for its bizarre character anatomy and proportions.
Other abnormalities in theFantastic Four: First Stepsposters require explanation. People have explained that artists are usually given stock images to work with, which might account for the repeated faces. Regardless, the AI accusations are seemingly unfounded and didn’t dampen excitement for the film. The trailer left fans with the impression that theFantastic Four: First Stepsis a fresh style for the MCU, which even the franchise’s fans feel is sorely needed.
The Fantastic Four: First Stepsis scheduled to be released in theaters on July 21, 2025.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The Fantastic Four: First Steps depicts Marvel’s First Family navigating their roles as heroes amidst a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. As they defend Earth from Galactus and the enigmatic Silver Surfer, they must also uphold the strength of their family bond.
