Since the dawn of superhero video games, one thing that has sometimes taken fans out of the experience was how video game heroes usually look nothing like the actors who portrayed them on the big screen. Perhaps that is why someone used deep fake technology to create a Marvel’s Avengers trailer featuring the CG faces of the MCU cast.
The video, which was uploaded by YouTuber BabyZone, imagines what the upcoming Marvel’s Avengers would look like if the characters had the likeness of the MCU cast. The core cast is seen in the video, including Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, and Robert Downy Jr. The video uses deep fake technology to paste CG versions of the cast’s faces onto their video game counterparts, and makes for an interesting departure from the game’s official CG launch trailer that recently dropped.
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In the video’s description, BabyZone explained how they created the video. “I created this video using AI machine learning DeepFake technology. In particular, I used DeepFaceLab 2.0 by IPerov to create the face models for each actor,” they said, adding that the video took longer than a month to make.
The effects look good on some of the characters, but fall into the dreaded uncanny valley with others. The consensus online seems to be that Black Widow, Captain America, and Iron Man look the best in the video. Conversely, Thor and Banner look off-putting, as their faces and haircuts don’t mesh well onto the video game models. But still, the video evidently took a lot of work and is a sight worth seeing.
Unfortunately, publisher Square Enix would have never been able to use the cast’s faces for Marvel’s Avengers, as they would have to secure the rights from Disney, which is notorious for keeping a tight grip on its IPs. Even if the developer did get the rights, it would still have to create new faces for all the characters in the game that did not make an appearance in the MCU. A recent datamine leak hints that fans will get to play a number of lesser-known characters, including She-Hulk, Kate Bishop, Mockingbird, Mar-Vall, and Quake.
Marvel’s Avengers is an action-based game that promises to merge its campaign with an expansive multiplayer experience. The game has been delayed several times, but is set to launch the first week of September. Responses after playing the Avengers open beta, which closed August 23, have largely been mixed.
The video also coincides with the launch of Fortnite’s Marvel-themed Season 4, which features Marvel skins, weapons, and Easter eggs.
Marvel’s Avengers releases September 4 on PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One. Versions for the Xbox Series X and PS5 are also in development.
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