TLDR: DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn publicly mocked an AI-generated image of Batman, quipping about its anatomical inaccuracies. His comments underscore a growing skepticism within Hollywood regarding generative AI, especially amidst ongoing debates about copyright infringement and job security in the entertainment industry.
Filmmaker and DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn recently took to social media to express his disdain for AI-generated depictions of Batman, specifically an image of actor Brandon Sklenar as the Caped Crusader. In a Threads post, Gunn humorously remarked that ‘it would be weird to cast an AI Batman with a 14 inch arm,’ drawing attention to the AI’s failure to accurately render human anatomy and perspective . This pointed criticism highlights a broader sentiment among many in the entertainment industry who are wary of the rapid integration of generative artificial intelligence.
Gunn’s remarks come at a time when the use of AI in cinema has become a highly contentious topic. The industry is grappling with concerns over the technology’s potential to make human labor redundant and its implications for intellectual property. Just days prior to Gunn’s comment, entertainment conglomerate Warner Bros. Discovery, distributors of iconic Batman films, reportedly sued AI image generator company Midjourney. The lawsuit alleges that Midjourney facilitates mass copyright infringement by allowing users to create AI-generated images and videos of copyrighted characters, similar to the image Gunn was responding to .
This isn’t the first time Gunn has voiced his disapproval of AI in filmmaking. In October 2024, he reacted with ‘three puking emojis’ to an AI-generated ‘trailer’ for the 2025 Superman film, further solidifying his stance against the technology’s creative applications . His consistent skepticism is echoed by other prominent figures in Hollywood, including Sean Penn, Guillermo del Toro, and Steven Spielberg, who have publicly opposed the use of AI. Spielberg, for instance, stated in June that he doesn’t ‘want AI making any creative decisions that I can’t make myself’ and doesn’t ‘want to use AI as a non-human collaborator’ .
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Fans have largely supported Gunn’s stance, with many appreciating his ‘grade A premium snark’ in dismissing the AI-generated image . The incident underscores the ongoing tension between technological advancement and artistic integrity within the film industry, as debates continue over the ethical and practical implications of AI’s role in creative processes.
