Unveiling Marvel's Jaw-Dropping CGI Mastery: A Game-Changer Star Wars Can't Seem to Match

Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Secret Invasion episode 2.

In the second episode of Secret Invasion, Marvel Cinematic Universe brings back a CGI technique that the Star Wars franchise, unfortunately, still struggles with. Both franchises frequently utilize digital de-aging in their live-action productions, typically in flashbacks or when depicting earlier points in their timelines. It is interesting to note that Marvel adaptations were pioneers in employing digital de-aging technology, and their ongoing utilization of the technique remains consistently convincing.

Secret Invasion's De-Aged Nick Fury Actually Looked Great

2006's X-Men: The Last Stand kicks off with a flashback where Professor X and Magneto recruit a young Jean Grey. The standout feature is the use of digital de-aging to make Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen appear younger. Fast forward almost ten years, and the MCU uses the same technique in a flashback sequence in 2015's Ant-Man, digitally de-aging Michael Douglas and Martin Donovan. Over the years, the MCU continues to employ digital de-aging, most notably showcasing Samuel L. Jackson as a younger version of himself throughout all his scenes in 2019's Captain Marvel.

In the Secret Invasion episode "Promises," Samuel L. Jackson's character, Nick Fury, undergoes another impressive de-aging transformation. Transported back to 1997, Fury appears remarkably younger, despite the visible scar on his eye caused by the Flerken known as Goose. Marvel continues to showcase their exceptional talent for digitally de-aging actors, a feat even more impressive considering the constrained budget of a television series. Conversely, the Star Wars franchise has struggled to achieve the same level of success in de-aging their actors.

Why Marvel's De-Aging Technology Makes Star Wars Look So Bad

Content:

Newer Star Wars properties have attempted to incorporate digital de-aging technology, but with less success compared to Marvel's efforts. For instance, the inclusion of Grand Moff Tarkin and Princess Leia in 2016's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was intended to resemble their appearances in the original 1977 film. However, the CGI versions of Tarkin and Leia in Rogue One received criticism for their uncanny resemblance. The issue reappeared in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, The Mandalorian, and The Book of Boba Fett, with Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia featuring in the former, and only Luke appearing in the latter two.

In Rogue One, new actors portrayed Tarkin and Leia, which posed a challenge in authentic de-aging. On the other hand, Mark Hamill's de-aged appearance as Luke in The Rise of Skywalker was better received, as Hamill himself was digitally de-aged for the role. Despite reprising his role as Luke in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, Hamill's de-aged appearance still falls short compared to the mastery demonstrated by Marvel's de-aging techniques, as evidenced in Secret Invasion. This shows that Marvel has perfected the art of digital de-aging, while Lucasfilm still has room for improvement.