‘Secret Invasion’ AI Opening Credits Gets Backlash From Fans

Marvel’s Secret Invasion debuted on Disney+ today (June 21), and it has been trending on Twitter, but not all for positive reasons. The series' opening credits were created by  artificial intelligence (AI). Fans did not like the use of it for many reasons. Secret Invasion director, Ali Selim, told Polygon that he thought that the idea of using AI fit into the theme of the show.

He told the publication, “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?" He admitted that he doesn’t “really understand” AI works, but it piqued his interest. Of the process, the director said their team would talk to the vendors about what ideas they had in mind, and "the computer would go off and do something. And then we could change it a little bit by using words, and it would change."

On social media, many fans openly rejected the use of AI, as it has become an increasing threat to the need for real-life graphic designers, animators, and artists. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been on strike with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers after failed negotiations of protecting writers against the use of AI in writing.

One person wrote, "So Marvel really used AI to make the intro for #SecretInvasion… it’s actually over." As part of a thread, a second said, "Big studios are taking a clear stance on AI issues for artists by using exploitative and morally very questionable AI tools for their current productions." Another sympathized with the "creative decision to use AI" for the intro "because it works thematically." However, they believe the "right thing to do" was to "pay actual artists to just imitate AI art. Would’ve sent the same message without taking away any jobs." Wrote another, "No way in hell Marvel used AI to create the secret invasion intro, this is the worst intro for any TV show ever."

Meanwhile, the show's star, Samuel L. Jackson, who plays Nick Fury, stood up for his The Marvels co-star Brie Larson. The actress became the target of toxic Marvel fans on social media for being a lead superhero female. Per Variety, Jackson addressed Larson's haters by saying, “She’s not going to let any of that stuff destroy her. These incel dudes who hate strong women or the fact that she’s a feminist who has an opinion and expressed it? Everybody wants people to be who they want them to be. She is who she is, and she’s genuinely that.”

Jackson and Larson will be reuniting in the MCU later this year with the release of The Marvels in theaters on November 10. New episodes of Secret Invasion drop on Disney+ every Wednesday at midnight ET.

In just one week, Disney+'s Secret Invasion series will drop on the platform. Starring Samuel L. Jackson as Nicky Fury, the show marks the comeback of our favorite bada-- agent. Fury learns that shapeshifting Skrulls have been infiltrating Earth to take over and make it their home.

Joining Nick Fury is former CIA agent Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman), his right hand Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), and Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), who has made a peaceful life for himself on Earth. Together, they must thwart the imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity. From the first trailer, We see that Fury has been in space for years, which we learned in Spider-Man: Far From Home. In the upcoming political thriller, Kingsley Ben-Adir plays Gravik, the leader of a group of rebel Skrulls. This group believes that the best way to protect their race is by taking over Earth and its resources. At the launch event last night (June 13), Kingsley said for fans to be "prepared for something a little bit different." He adds that this show is something that Marvel hasn't done before, so "it's going to be a bit darker."

Also starring in the series is Olivia Colman, who plays Sonya Falsworth, a high-ranking MI6 agent and an “old friend” of Fury’s. It is unknown whether she is truly an ally of his or if she is working against him. Emilia Clarke plays Talos’ daughter, G’iah. Her character, who we first saw as a kid in Captain Marvel, sided with the Skrull radicals. Rounding out the cast is Charlayne Woodard playing the role of Fury’s wife Priscilla, Killian Scott as a Skrull named Fiz, and Dermot Mulroney as President Ritson. Christopher McDonald, Samuel Adewunmi and Katie Finneran play unknown roles.

Secret Invasion is set to premiere on Disney+ next Wednesday, June 21. Take a look at the stars of the series below.