Summary
The newThunderboltstrailer was accompanied by a poster featuring Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, MCU newcomer Lewis Pullman as Sentry, and the rest of the ensemble cast. Fans spotted what appeared to be evidence that Marvel Studios used AI to create theThunderboltsmovie poster, but other observers quickly debunked this theory.
Whenthe newThunderboltstrailerdropped, Marvel Studios also released a poster featuring the ragtag team of misfits, which includes Pugh’s Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost, Wyatt Russell’s U.S. Agent, Olga Kurylenko’s Taskmaster, and David Harbour’s Red Guardian. TheThunderbolts poster also featured Pullman’s Sentry, one of the most powerful characters in Marvel Comics lore, and fans noticed a strange detail that prompted accusations of AI being used for the image.
As noted by X users such asPeyton: Super Nerd, theThunderboltsmovie poster seemingly gave Pullman’s Sentry six fingers. This prompted the user to accuse Marvel Studios of using AI to create theThunderbolts movie poster, as AI-generated images have a reputation for creating fingers poorly. “Guess time to tell@Marvelthat this type of stuff is unprofessional and unacceptable! Definitely won’t be seeing this movie now,” wrote Peyton: Super Nerd. X usermirrorbellseemingly gave Marvel Studios the benefit of the doubt, wondering if Sentry’s alleged sixth finger was “intentional and part of the plot?”
However, other fans, includingHassan Hamid, noticed thatSentry’s supposed sixth finger resulted from odd placement. “It definitely looks like he does but it’s just weird placement lol,” wroteUnreal Sushi, who included an image identifying Sentry’s five fingers. X userJordan Van Glishwas seemingly bothered by those whoaccused Marvel Studios of using AIfor theThunderbolts* movie poster, noting how they were reminiscent of conspiracy theorists. “The conspiracy-minded tend to see these gaps [in logical reasoning] as a space to insert their preconceived notions about the world. People are lying to you, (((so and so))) control the narrative, AI is replacing art and inserting extra fingers in a professional movie poster, etc,” they wrote. “Next time you encounter one of these gaps or ‘unanswerable’ questions — like ‘who built the pyramids” or ‘why does this hand appear to have six fingers’ — pause for a minute to think harder about it rather than jump to a conclusion.”
While Marvel Studios may not have used AI to create theThunderbolts* movie poster, fans might hastily reach conclusions because of Marvel Studios’ history with AI. Marvel Studios made theSecret Invasionintro with AI, a decision widely criticized by fans. Critics noted that Marvel Studios' use of AI forSecret Invasionwas another example of artists losing work to technology that created an inferior, ‘ugly’ product.
Of course, not everyone is wary of AI.Donald Glover defended AIby noting how it could used to help artists and solve problems, though he understood why others were scared of its potential. So, while Marvel Studios is seemingly innocent of using AI for theThunderbolts* movie poster, perhaps Hollywood using AI for marketing material (and more) is inevitable, and fans and artists must adjust.
Thunderbolts*is scheduled to be released in theaters on June 05, 2025.
Thunderbolts*
Marvel’s Thunderbolts is a superhero movie based on the comic team of the same name. The movie acts as a part of the MCU’s fifth phase of films. The film sees the likes of Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, Wyatt Russell, the Red Guardian, and more as an unlikely group of heroes and villains brought together to fight for good.
