Marvel’s Secret Invasion Opening Credits Were Made by AI, Sparking Outrage

The opening credits for the new Marvel TV series Secret Invasion were created from generative artificial intelligence (AI), a move that caused dismay among some industry insiders.

The miniseries aired its first episode on Disney yesterday (June 21) with viewers immediately noticing that the credits were AI-generated.

It marks the first time a major show has turned to AI to generate part of its programming, laying down yet another marker in the progression of generative AI.

The opening credits are swirling and shapeshifting with ghoulish characters appearing in front of recognizable landmarks all tinted with a green hue.

The executive producer of the show Ali Selim tells Polygon in an interview that the AI-generated nature fits with the themes of the show but says he doesn’t “really understand” how generative AI works.

Method Studios, the company responsible for the opening credits, has previously worked on Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, and Loki but used more traditional VFX methods previously. The company did not respond to Polygon’s inquiry as to how exactly the credits were made.

Backlash Against AI

While Selim might be excited about AI, a technology he described as “the computer would go off and do something.” Many are outraged by the rise of AI — there are concerns over how it was created (large-scale theft of millions of copyrighted images) and fears that it will replace humans — a sentiment echoed in the ongoing Hollywood writers’ strike.

Jeff Simpson, a senior concept artist who worked with Marvel Studios on Secret Invasion (but not on the opening credits), took to Twitter to express his dismay.

“Secret Invasion intro is AI-generated. I’m devastated, I believe AI to be unethical, dangerous, and designed solely to eliminate artists’ careers,” he says.

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…

— Jeff Simpson (@jeffsimpsonkh) June 21, 2023

Marvel/Disney have infinite money yet used AI for the Secret Invasion opening credits.

A slap in the face to literally every artist Disney has ever worked with & something that overshadows the hard work everyone did on this show.

Seriously @aliselim?pic.twitter.com/xEsT6MWt1x

— Stephen Ford (@StephenSeanFord) June 21, 2023

Meanwhile, director Stephen Ford called the opening credits “a slap in the face” to artists who had worked with Disney in the past.