Summary
The accuracy of the live-action AI art of The Simpsons varies greatly among the characters, with some, like The Comic Book Guy, being incredibly impressive, while others, like Principal Skinner, are hardly recognizable.Patty, Selma, and Apu undergo positive transformations in the artwork, with the former two resembling characters from a moody A24 thriller and Apu appearing cool and younger.
While the live-action art showcases the enjoyment AI can bring, it also implies that a live-action rendition of The Simpsons may not be essential, considering the animated series' charm and distinctive form.
New artwork reveals surprisingly typical appearances for live-action versions of The Simpsons, with certain characters receiving impressive makeovers. Throughout its decades-long presence as a television fixture, The Simpsons has been depicted in diverse animation styles and its characters have been used and parodied in countless ways. Yet, the concept of bringing The Simpsons into the live-action realm has never gained much popularity.
In anticipation of The Simpsons season 35, a user named Crows_HeadIC posted a new showcase on the Midjourney subreddit. This showcase provides a preview of what a live-action adaptation of The Simpsons could potentially resemble. It features a wide range of main and supporting characters, including Homer and Marge Simpson, Mr. Burns, and Apu.
The showcase takes a more favorable approach towards certain characters, envisioning younger versions of several supporting players that have a more contemporary appearance.
The Simpsons Live-Action AI Art Gets Some Things Impressively Right
The characters in The Simpsons live-action showcase vary in terms of resemblance to the cartoon version. Characters like Comic Book Guy and Homer look remarkably accurate, while others like Marge are more loosely-inspired. However, some characters like Principal Skinner are barely recognizable at all. The artwork depicts the characters as youthful and attractive, which doesn't align with the original source material.
Nevertheless, there are some positive changes. Patty and Selma appear ready to star in a brooding thriller from A24. Similarly, Apu has been made to look younger and more fashionable. While the live-action interpretation of The Simpsons demonstrates the potential for creativity with AI and the right guidance, it also highlights why a live-action version of the beloved animated series should not be pursued. It is likely the lack of progress in that direction is due to these reasons.
The appeal of The Simpsons lies not only in its visually entertaining images, but also in its unique animation style. Without the animation, the show would require a compelling storyline and captivating concept to stand on its own, rather than relying on actors resembling the cartoon characters. However, considering the show's willingness to take risks and explore new ideas, it is possible that an episode delving into the realm of live-action could be successful if the story is truly exceptional.