Marvel Studios’ espionage thriller series “Secret Invasion” premiered last night and is already drawing a lot of conversation – specifically about its opening credits sequence.
Method Studios, who has done a ton of VFX and credits work on numerous Marvel & Disney+ series, were hired to use AI-generated art to create the sequence in which figures shape-shift between human disguises and Skrulls.
This makes it one of the first major shows to use AI-generated art in this way, and on a scale that no other mainstream show is doing at the moment.
Speaking with Polygon, producer Ali Selim confirmed the generative AI nature of the sequence:
“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 says he doesn’t ‘really understand’ how artificial intelligence works, but was fascinated with how AI could generate the foreboding sense they wanted:
“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 inclusion of this sequence has drawn a backlash online from artists and critics. That includes Jeff Simpson, who worked as a visual development concept artist on the series itself (no involvement in the opening credits). He wrote in a tweet:
“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.”
Method Studios did not respond to the outlet’s request for information about how exactly it designed the sequence. However, real artists are credited for the opening sequence, including an AI technical director, animator, VFX technical director, art director and a creative lead.
The work comes at a critical time as AI content protections are a key part of union demands with the ongoing writer’s strike and a potential actor’s strike looming.
