For, like, forever, Spider-Man has been one of the biggest fan-favorite characters introduced initially in Marvel Comics and then in the MCU.
However, while his initial live-action projects did justice to him through the ways the filmmakers helmed them under the production direction of Sony, the latest films in the franchise haven’t been all too favorable, all because of the excessive use of AI.
Yet, while that’s that, it seems like things are about to get worse instead of getting better. This comes after the CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), Tony Vinciquerra, recently confirmed that the studio is eyeing to use more AI to reduce costs in the near future.
And, as expected, this news is anything but good for all those fans who were hoping to see more projects like the ones before.
Spider-Man Projects to Use More AI? So Says Sony CEO
While Spider-Man fans must have been looking forward to a piece of more hearty news regarding future updates on their favorite saga at Sony’s recently held investor event in Japan, what actually lies in store for them wouldn’t end up pleasing them all too much.
Especially because it has something to do with the increased use of artificial intelligence in future projects of the studios.
According to what SPE CEO Tony Vinciquerra openly admitted at the event (via IndieWire):
We are very focused on AI. The biggest problem with making films today is the expense.
Judging from his statement, it is evident that the studios are looking forward to this approach to cut costs and create more efficient products.
As per what Vinciquerra continued to admit without mincing his words:
We will be looking at ways to…produce both films for theaters and television in a more efficient way, using AI primarily.
Needless to say, that does not sound all too well, and rightly so for a majority of reasons, including especially the visual effects used in the movies.
Since Vinciquerra seems to be talking about it all films, it sounds like the Spider-Verse movies wouldn’t be the only ones affected by this and result in a project presumably overwhelmed by the use of artificial intelligence in its making: Live-action movies might be affected as well.
While this is already bad news for those Spider-Verse films because the end results aren’t always all favorable, if what we’re assuming is true, then those live-action films will be affected in even worse ways if their visual effects start getting generated by artificial intelligence.
For one, a lot of fans were already upset with how Tom Holland‘s saga as the web-slinger turned out to be; and it wasn’t because of the star-studded plot or tremendous acting chops of all the actors, but rather, because of how much VFX was used in the movie, especially in the web-slinging scenes.
Comparing this with previous films from the saga like the ones Andrew Garfield starred in made it even worse because Garfield’s films had the most epic web-slinging action stunt scenes since those were actually shot with the actor swinging on ropes and pullies for real.
All of this being said, if the upcoming live-action movies include even more focus on VFX — and one seemingly highly incorporated with AI, at that — then the Spider-Man franchise just might be heading towards its doom because fans won’t tolerate it at all.
Fans Aren’t Happy With How Things Are Unfolding for the Spider-Verse
Because of all the reasons mentioned above, fans aren’t happy with this latest statement from the CEO of SPE.
If anything, not only are they concerned about how the projects would turn out to be with more inclusion of artificial intelligence, but they are also worried that this shift would kill the art of filmmaking, especially for the web-slinger’s projects.
Taking to X, here’s how they’re reacting to this news:
please someone take their spider-man rights away from them
— 𝑀𝒶𝑔𝒾𝒸🇪🇸🇨🇴 (@MagicDelOcho) May 30, 2024
It better not. pic.twitter.com/krhbXjabyv
— 𝒮𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘦 🏳️⚧️ ★ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱɴʏᴅᴇʀQᴜᴇᴇɴ (@SnyderQueen_) May 30, 2024
Wasn’t the point of the writer strike to keep AI out? pic.twitter.com/QF0dibIhIq
— kami (@KamiAnimess) May 30, 2024
me if i see them try using ai on SpiderVerse films pic.twitter.com/urqWImvXkS
— Justin (@reldrago) May 30, 2024
Big mistake.
— Sparky About Movies (@CinemaOfScreams) May 30, 2024
Cut costs by:
Less CGI
Cut unnecessary BTS positions
Write better stories
Reduced budgets for films to boost creativity— Anjoy (@MsStory_Dragon) May 30, 2024
— dogwood maple (@dogwood_maple) May 30, 2024
The art of filmmaking is not only dead, but now it's corpse is being violated by AI
— Bre S (@fearmeitsbre) May 30, 2024
I want all these film companies to fail at this point. They are holding some of the most influential licenses hostage to milk them for profit and there some how not even good at the profit part anymore what the hell
— TheMadFanBoyBlack (@MadFanBoyBlack) May 30, 2024
As can be derived from all of these comments, fans are anything but happy with how things are unfolding for their favorite friendly neighborhood superhero’s lore. And rightly so, because the superhero’s future is actually starting to look pretty bl-AI-k from here onwards.
