AI actor people say could 'replace Scarlett Johansson' told to F-off by major Marvel stars

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AI actor people say could 'replace Scarlett Johansson' told to F-off by major Marvel stars

Florence Pugh is the only Black Widow replacement we need

The might of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is showing a united front against the influx of artificial intelligence.

While it's all well and good turning to ChatGPT when you can't be bothered scrolling through the depths of Google, there's a much bigger concern about it putting us flesh and blood humans out of work.

More than customer service representatives or journalists (welp) potentially losing their jobs to artificial intelligence, everyone from voice artists to singers could soon be out of a job.

Even though you might think the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Elizabeth Olsen, Mark Ruffalo, and the rest of the MCU alumni are safe, the introduction of Hollywood’s 'first' AI actor is in danger of threatening some of the world's biggest names.

Despite some recent fumbles, the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains the highest-grossing movie franchise of all time and shows no sign of slowing down, thanks to Avengers: Doomsday releasing in 2026.

RDJ is back in the MCU, and while he's swapping his Iron Man armor for that of Doctor Doom, it's poised to be the return to form that the Disney powerhouse is looking for.

Robert Downey Jr. has made his feelings on AI particularly clear (Disney)
Robert Downey Jr. has made his feelings on AI particularly clear (Disney)

Anyone and everyone is tipped to reprise their iconic roles, with famous faces from 2025's The Fantastic Four: First Steps and The New Avengers suiting up alongside Chris Hemsworth's Thor, Shang-Chi's Simu Liu, Black Panther's Letitia Wright, the old guard of Fox's X-Men movies, and more.

We're sure there are more surprises destined to make the cut, and while almost everyone is welcome, we know one actor who won't be. There's been continued backlash to the introduction of Tilly Noorwood as Hollywood's 'first' AI actor.

Created by Dutch actor and comedian Eline Van der Velden, Norwood was pitched as the "next Scarlett Johansson or Natalie Portman” to tick off two of the MCU’s biggest female actors.

Although she's not an MCU star yet, Emily Blunt was almost cast as Johansson's Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow in Iron Man 2 and has led the vocal campaign against Noorwood.

A number of the MCU's famous faces have clapped back at Noorwood and the general uptick in AI. This includes Ralph Ineson, who played the villainous Galactus in First Steps and simply wrote, “F*ck off" when sharing the news about the AI actor.

Fellow First Steps costar Natasha Lyonne has been working with 'ethical AI' to ensure actual actors get roles, adding: "Any talent agency that engages in this should be boycotted by all guilds. Deeply misguided & totally disturbed."


After playing Jean Grey in the most recent run of X-Men movies, Sophie Turner replied, saying: "Wow … no thanks."

Noorwood's insertion into Tinsel Town is part of a bigger problem, with Liu sharing his disgust at a general increase in interest in AI. As well as starring in Doomsday, the actor is due to lead a second Shang-Chi movie. Posting on his Instagram story, Liu said: "Movies are great but you know what would be better is if the characters in them weren’t played by actual humans but by AI replicas approximating human emotion."

While veering away from Noorwood, RDJ said he would sue anyone who tried to recreate his likeness with AI. Many are glad he's returning to the MCU in some form, but speaking during an episode of the On With Kara Swisher podcast, the Oscar-winning actor went on to slam the likes of ChatGPT's Sam Altman: "The problem is when these individuals believe that they are the arbiters of managing this but meanwhile are wanting and/or needing to be seen in a favorable light.

That is a massive f**king error. It turns me off and makes me not want to engage with them because they are not being truthful.”

Featured Image Credit: Disney