AI Recreates Futurama In Real Life & It’s Just As Weird As You Think

AI Recreates Futurama In Real Life & It's Just As Weird As You Think

As a seasoned gamer and long-time fan of Futurama, I must admit that my initial reaction to seeing these real-life versions of my beloved characters was a mix of shock and amusement. Shock because some of these reimaginings are so drastically different from what I’ve grown accustomed to, and amusement because it’s always fun to see how technology can twist and distort our favorite fictional worlds.


Up-to-date artificial intelligence technology can significantly transform the visual aspects of iconic characters from movies and TV shows. This transformation could potentially bring significant long-term changes to these media, while on a smaller scale, AI can provide captivating and creative interpretations of popular fictional figures. For instance, AI has shown us how “Archer” characters might appear in real life, and it’s even speculated about the physical appearances of “The Lord of the Rings” characters based on book descriptions. Recently, a TikTok account called @aiviking released an AI-generated video that gives the characters from “Futurama” a more realistic appearance.

@aiviking

Hey there! Let me share my thoughts on how I’d imagine some of my favorite Futurama characters living in our world:

♬ Futurama Main Theme (From “Futurama”) – Geek Music

The TV series “Futurama” is not typically recognized for its commitment to realistic character design. Consequently, opinions may vary regarding how successfully the Midjourney AI program represents the show’s animated characters with its real-world adaptations. Nevertheless, it’s intriguing to observe whether the AI can accurately depict the simplistic “Futurama” designs and, in certain instances, learn where it falls short in this endeavor.

Some Futurama characters translate to real life better than others

AI Recreates Futurama In Real Life & It's Just As Weird As You Think

The clip opens with a very glamorous real-life take on Amy Wong (Lauren Tom), who’s easy to recognize by her signature pink tracksuit. Up next is Dr. Zoidberg (Billy West), whose big brown eyes and long face tentacles make him seem far more fearsome and intelligent than his red-hued, confused-looking cartoon counterpart. Mom (Tress MacNeille) and Professor Farnsworth (West) both look somewhat more lively than the show’s versions, while Zapp Brannigan (West) looks like a cross between Michael Rooker and “Deadpool 2”-era Josh Brolin. Hermes Conrad (Phil LaMarr) seems to lack his signature hairstyle, and the otherwise surprisingly accurate-looking janitor Scruffy (David Herman) has acquired a cowboy hat in what seems like Midjourney’s transparent bid to cast Sam Elliott in the role.  

In a different universe, AI seems to fall short compared to the originals. Bender (John DiMaggio) and other robot buddies appear leaner, meaner, and more standardized than their predecessors, possibly due or not to their intricate design. However, Turanga Leela (Katey Sagal), as AI has remodeled her, sports an odd hairdo and a massive eye that looks like it’s been pasted onto her forehead – not quite the authentic Leela we know. As for Philip J. Fry (West), Midjourney’s AI version is a chiseled, full-lipped male model, which is far from capturing the real essence of this animated character we love.

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2024-09-15 21:59