‘You’re selling a movie that doesn’t exist’: Why is the Civil War at the center of controversy?

Opening in theaters on April 17, Civil War drew 50,000 viewers on its first day in France. In the US, the film also got off to a great start collecting $25 million for its release.

If civil war rages in Alex Garland’s story, the winds of conflict are blowing in the real world. Indeed, distributor A24 posted AI-generated posters online, sparking controversy in Uncle Sam land.

A controversy arises

This decision of the production company caused a number of negative reactions in social networks. In addition to the fact that these posters are created by artificial intelligence, which is controversial, they show scenes that do not exist in the film, namely the destruction of iconic buildings.

For the audience, it misleads the public because it is selling a product that is completely different from what we see in the cinema.

AI, a threat?

Controversy has grown as the rapid development of artificial intelligence is seen as a threat to many artists. Its use in the audiovisual field is highly offensive as it is seen as a mortal threat to small independent businesses struggling to survive in this highly competitive field.

Some viewers are decrying the fact that A24, a company that specializes in independent productions, is falling into the artificial intelligence trap. “None of that happens in the movie. I don’t understand this campaign. You’re selling a movie that doesn’t exist and it’s very strange.”A24 condemns the fan in the comments under the posters’ Instagram post.

For internet users, the firm would be better off hiring a real artist to create the posters instead of AI for simplicity. Nevertheless, this does not prevent the film from continuing to do well at the box office. A24 has not yet responded to the controversy.

Let’s remind you that Kirsten Dunst, Kaley Spahn and Wagner Moura are playing Civil War. The feature film offers a brutal race in a fractured America that is on the razor’s edge more than ever in the near future.