Marvel’s Secret Invasion, the star-studded addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney+, created a ton of buzz on the internet for its so-so reviews heading up to its launch, surprisingly good opening sood, and its controversial use of AI-generated art in the opening credits.
It’s the last bit that has lit the fire on a fiery debate about the implications and ethics of AI use in the creative space.
But, while most of the internet seems to be against the use of AI, the show’s director and executive producer, Ali Selim, is not bothered by the criticism at all.
In the series, Samuel L. Jackson reprises his role as the real Nick Fury, who returns to discover an undercover invasion by the Skrulls, a shapeshifting alien race, posing a significant threat to Earth. The show’s eerie atmosphere, defined by a dash of paranoia and a hint of uncertainty, is underscored by its unusual and unsettling opening sequence, crafted with the aid of artificial intelligence. This introduction features a flurry of images, painted in Skrull-associated green, morphing in a way reminiscent of a watercolor rendering, emphasizing the Skrulls’ shape-shifting ability.
Director and Executive Producer, Ali Selim, explained to Polygon that the AI-facilitated opening was conceived in alignment with the series’ central themes of shape-shifting and identity confusion. However, Selim’s confession that he didn’t “really understand” the workings of AI has sparked concern among critics and fans alike.
Method Studios, the firm behind the AI-integrated sequence, has worked on multiple Marvel projects, including Ms. Marvel, Loki, and Moon Knight. The company combined its established expertise in conceptual design, motion graphics, and CGI animation with AI technology to design the intro sequence for Secret Invasion.
While the director and some fans view AI as a tool that can bring about intriguing possibilities in art, a considerable faction has voiced their disapproval, primarily over two concerns. Firstly, they argue that AI companies are essentially using artists’ work without their permission or compensation to train their models. Secondly, critics claim that the rise of AI is sidelining real artists, replacing their creativity with algorithms.
The criticism has not been confined to the ethics of AI art. Some fans feel the AI-generated imagery simply doesn’t match the standard expected of a high-profile series like Secret Invasion. Viewers took to social media to voice their dismay over what they deemed as sub-par graphics that failed to do justice to the series’ exciting storyline.
Despite the backlash, it’s undeniable that the integration of AI into the creative process is a marked shift in the industry. As AI art continues to evolve and gain traction, the key concern now revolves around striking the right balance between using technological advancements and respecting the rights and creativity of human artists.
However, most would have preferred if Marvel Studios steered clear of this conversation if only temporarily.
The MCU currently finds itself in a tough position after Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was deemed a failure at the global box office. With Chris Hemsworth all but admitting that Thor: Love and Thunder wasn’t as good as it could’ve been and the slew of delays recently announced, the last thing that Marvel needs is a lightning rod for criticism, which AI definitely is.
It remains to be clear how this negativity surrounding the intro of Secret Invasion will affect the overall reception of the series, but we’ll find out soon enough in the lead-up to its conclusion on July 26.
