Avengers: Doomsday and the misleading fake AI trailers

Anticipation for the release of the official Avengers: Doomsday trailer is growing, especially since it was shown behind closed doors at CinemaCon. While Marvel has not released any official footage yet, fans are filling the gap by creating their own trailers using generative AI technology.

The creation of fake trailers

Fans have used online descriptions of the official trailer to make their own versions, featuring scenes of battles between popular Marvel characters like Gambit and Shang-Chi, with Thor taking on Doctor Doom. Steve Rogers also appears dramatically at the end of these fake trailers, grabbing viewers' attention. Despite the often low quality of these videos, they have racked up millions of views on social media, where many feel misled by the lack of official content.

The impact of generative AI

Generative AI tools have made it easier to create this kind of video. The fake trailers even include fake audience reactions and cheering sounds, with moments like Steve Rogers wielding Mjölnir adding extra emotion to the clip.

The user @lordsambrah on X / Twitter has shared several clips from these fake trailers, noting that while most of the content is likely AI-generated, it still feeds fans' hunger for visual material about Avengers: Doomsday. He does, however, promise to be more careful in the future when judging the authenticity of the content he shares.

Public reactions and concerns

Reactions to these fake trailers are mixed. Some praise the fan effort, while others are strongly critical of the spread of misleading information. Viewers expected the trailers might offer a good idea of what the official trailer could look like, even though the creations are crude and unprofessional.

It is worth noting that this trend is not unique to the Avengers franchise. Other games and films, such as GTA 6, have faced similar issues, with misleading AI images making their way online as fans wait for new trailers.

Future of the Marvel franchise

The future of Avengers: Doomsday remains uncertain, especially with the flood of misleading content trying to lure in viewers. Social media platforms and video services are under pressure to strengthen guidelines for handling AI content, but so far that pressure has had little impact.

With generative AI becoming more popular, Avengers and Marvel fans will likely have to wait for more official communication before they can watch real trailers. The question remains how this technology will be regulated and what the consequences will be for public trust.