Berlin, Germany – South Park fans have been engaged in a heated debate over a “creepy” deepfake rendition of the show’s animated characters as real people in an Eighties sitcom. The artist behind this unique creation is a Berlin-based artificial intelligence (AI) artist known as “demonflyingfox.” Employing deepfake technology, demonflyingfox transformed Eric Cartman, Kyle Broflovski, Stan Marsh, and Kenny McCormick into live-action characters on the set of a sitcom, which is currently in its 27th season.
Demonflyingfox further expanded the deepfake project by recreating other beloved characters from the show, including Mr. Mackey, Randy Marsh, Timmy Burch, and Mr. Garrison. The artist posted a YouTube video showcasing these stunningly realistic renditions, which has recently resurfaced on Reddit.
Deepfakes, the product of AI or machine learning manipulation of photos and videos, have evoked mixed reactions from viewers. While some users found the deepfake versions to be “creepy and weird,” others commended the accuracy of the recreations. The unrelenting blinking of the characters throughout the video added an unsettling element, sarcastically pointed out by one user who suggested that making them blink less would diminish the creepiness.
One user expressed a more nuanced critique, praising the spot-on depiction of Randy, Stan, and Mr. Slave while pointing out inaccuracies in Kenny’s portrayal. The commenter highlighted that Kenny is supposed to have blond hair and wear a parka, not a hoodie. A range of other reactions included awe, an oddly unnerving feeling, and a general uneasiness with the fact that the deepfake characters look real but do not actually exist.
Outside of the realm of South Park, demonflyingfox has also shared AI-generated art on Instagram, such as reimagining Harry Potter characters as Balenciaga models, creating a French version of the iconic Batman villain, The Joker, and assembling an all-female cast for Breaking Bad, featuring Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.
While deepfake technology continues to spark interest and controversy, last year, an American company named Fable Simulation unveiled an AI tool called AI Showrunner. This tool allows users to create their own South Park episodes with just a one or two-sentence prompt. It even generates an original character based on the user’s voice and appearance, handling everything from dialogue to animation and editing. However, the company has stated that the tool will not be released publicly, as it is solely intended for research purposes and not for profit.
The latest deepfake project by demonflyingfox has sparked a lively conversation among South Park enthusiasts who stand divided on the uncanny realism of the characters. As AI technology continues to advance, it will be interesting to see how artists and creators push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of digital manipulation.