The opening credits of Marvel’s new series Secret Invasion has been the subject of some controversy on social media today after director Ali Selim told Polygon that the credits were generated by A.I.
“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?” Selim noted. He said he thought the idea of AI generating the credits fit the themes of the show.
He added, “We would talk to them about ideas and themes and words, and then the computer would go off and do something. And then we could change it a little bit by using words, and it would change.” The Disney+ shows’ credits were designed by Method Studios.
The notion of A.I. generating the images has obviously ruffled some feathers, since the subject of writers and artists’ jobs being replaced by new technologies is highly topical at the moment. The WGA is currently on strike after failed negotiations with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which included language about protecting writers against the use of AI in the writing process. Strikers have pointed out to the dangers of studios replacing laborers with AI in order to cut corners and avoid paying crafts workers in the future.
Here are some reactions:
Secret Invasion uses Ai in the intro. Leadership of the show “doesn’t know how Ai works.” Vendor is Method studios. Who would not respond for comment.
This is salt in the wounds of all Artists and Writers in the WGA strike #boycottSecretInvasion https://t.co/fmAiARYsLB pic.twitter.com/Lv9uvzSygb
— Jon Lam #CreateDontScrape (@JonLamArt) 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
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
You can hire a graphic artist to do the same thing, but make it look better. I just don’t think with the money Disney has they needed to saddle such a great show with such a stupid thing.
— Okiro (@TheFirstOkiro) June 21, 2023
I agree that it sucks and it looks absolutely terrible, but I think that it's kinda the whole point… So I can't help but feel slightly mixed on this, it's a good choice but they could've done something else given that AI is in the center of discourse right now…
— Virgil (@Virgil84941369) June 21, 2023
Secret Invasion is now streaming on Disney+.
