Supergirl ignited controversy after fans spotted what appears to be AI-generated concept art in a behind-the-scenes clip, sparking online backlash.
The Anti-AI Backlash Against ‘Supergirl,’ Explained
Supergirl has already been heavily criticized by DC fans, with the film widely viewed as a mediocre follow-up to James Gunn’s Superman.
Supergirl bombed at the box office, but in the wake of the film’s recent streaming debut, a new controversy has arisen.
The backlash was sparked by a Supergirl behind-the-scenes clip with director Craig Gillespie, featuring the filmmaker looking at a screen containing concept art of Lobo (played by Jason Momoa in the film).
The image has the uncanny, smooth texture and soft blur associated with generative AI.
Fans and critics previously complained about the film’s muddy visuals and blurry VFX work, but a generative AI accusation added to the negative perception of Supergirl, which reportedly experienced a troubled post-production.
AI critics were outraged to see the controversial technology seemingly deployed for a high-budget blockbuster, while DC fans viewed the video as proof that the creative spark was lacking from Supergirl.
Some commentators pointed to other instances of generative AI use in superhero films, such as the MCU series Secret Invasion (which also sparked outrage).
In the wake of the backlash, Warner Bros hastily pulled the video from YouTube, but the angry comments remained on social media.
While the image resembled the typical output of generative AI, Warner Bros. did not confirm or deny the accusation.
AI-critics viewed the studio’s silence as a confirmation, many pointing out that the hastily scrubbed video was evidence that the AI backlash was working.
AI’s reputation seems irredeemably tarnished (particularly in the creative industries).
Why Was The Alleged Use Of AI In ‘Supergirl’ So Controversial?
As AI-critics have often argued, using generative AI to produce imagery and video for a Hollywood production can result in industry job losses.
In this case, a film production that uses generative AI for Lobo concept art might hire fewer concept artists.
On top of labor concerns, artists have explained that the use of AI disrupts the creative pipeline, especially when it comes to concept art—creating art by hand is the entire point, as new ideas are sparked during the process.
With generative AI, there is no creative process—there’s simply the prompt, followed by a result. The work behind the image has not been done.
Plus, the output of generative AI is often viewed as inherently derivative, as the technology is trained on the work of artists (without consent).
When it comes to generative AI and media, there seems to be a reckoning going on.
Generative AI In Media Is Sparking Fierce Backlash
Recently, the popular YouTuber Hank Green was accused of using AI to generate video scripts, sparking backlash from his fans.
Green responded with an admission that he had been overly reliant on the technology, and after taking a brief break, returned to YouTube with a pledge to only use the technology in very specific instances.
In the case of Green, critics were concerned that AI-generated hallucinations could interfere with the work of a science educator, and many fans urged Green to hire a human researcher instead.
The release of sci-fi blockbuster The End of Oak Street was also plagued by AI controversy, as Warner Bros. teamed with an “AI dog podcast” known as DogPack to promote the film.
The 90-second clip features two AI-generated dogs “interviewing” Starbuck, the family dog featured in Oak Street.
The backlash was more a question of taste, the clip baffling many commentators, who wondered why a sci-fi dinosaur movie would be promoted with a fake dog podcast.
Instagram creator Jeff Rauseo didn’t hold back, describing the clip as “the worst movie marketing campaign of all time.”
The fan reaction to Supergirl speaks for itself, but interestingly, DC Head and Superman director James Gunn has repeatedly mocked and dismissed AI on social media.
Gunn seems to empathize with the creative industries struggle against AI, having described Lex Luther’s rage against Superman as similar to how “artists look at AI.”
Gunn went on to explain that, “[Lex] is the world’s greatest man in so many ways. He’s done these unparalleled things. And then you got a guy who comes in who’s done nothing to deserve the ability to fly and to smash down buildings. That sort of obsession with being replaced, with your gifts not being seen or passed over—I think is what drives Lex.”