AI and 'Pirated' Trailers That Are Flourishing, from Fan Theories to Influence on Original Films

Kapanlagi.com - In recent years, the online world has been filled with the emergence of 'pirated' or fan-made trailers that have proliferated across various platforms, especially YouTube. At the beginning of their emergence, content creators would usually assemble fake trailers by stitching together scenes from different films that belong to the same universe.

For example, if they wanted to create a fake trailer for the film Avengers: Secret Wars, they would take clips from Iron Man, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, and Doctor Strange. Although not authentic, such trailers can deceive many viewers because they are constructed cinematically and feel plausible.

1. Fake Trailer

This phenomenon has developed alongside technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). Now, generative AI such as deepfake and text-to-video (like Sora or Runway ML) allows content creators to produce entirely new scenes that have never existed in any film.

This provides a broader creative space to create fake trailers that appear realistic. In fact, the faces and voices of actors can be manipulated to seem as if they are truly starring in the film. According to The Verge, AI has been widely used by creators to make visually convincing snippets that go viral on the internet.

2. Based on Fan Theories

© instagram.com/marvelstudios

Interestingly, many of these fake trailers are not made haphazardly. Creators often construct plots based on fan theories that are widely discussed on forums like Reddit, or even unconfirmed rumors from entertainment media.

The goal is clear: to attract clicks and garner views from curious audiences. This type of content is referred to as “speculative content” and is usually designed to align with fans' expectations. It’s no surprise that the engagement from such videos is quite high, especially as the release of blockbuster films approaches.

Statistically, fake trailers based on theories or rumors can generate fantastic view counts. A completely fake fan-made trailer for Avengers: Secret Wars once garnered over 20 million views in just a few weeks.

3. Monetization Strategy

© instagram.com/marvelstudios

Content creators like Stryder HD, TeaserPRO, and KH Studio are known for diligently producing high-quality trailers like this. They even insert narration and the Marvel logo to make it more convincing. According to Business Insider, fake trailer content has become one of the alluring monetization strategies on YouTube as it can attract viewers massively.

The impact is starting to be felt in the film world, especially in Hollywood. One of the most striking cases is the film Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), where director Jon Watts openly admitted that many fan theories circulating on the internet influenced the final editing process of the film.

4. Not Yet Influencing Indonesian Cinema

© instagram.com/marvelstudios

In his interview with The New York Times, Watts mentioned that several scenes that were not originally planned were eventually included due to the overwhelming demand and speculation from fans that had formed long before the film's release.

Although it is not yet very apparent in the Indonesian film industry, the potential influence of AI content and fan theories may not be impossible to spread to the homeland. With the increasing number of social media users and moviegoers actively discussing online, local content creators are also starting to attempt to create fictional trailer versions for Indonesian films.

However, until now, its influence has not reached the stage where filmmakers change the film's plot due to pressure from online speculation. Nevertheless, looking at global trends, it is possible that similar things will happen in the future of Indonesian cinema.

(kpl/tdr)