Fact Check-AI-generated image does not prove Stanley Kubrick staged the moon landing

An image created through artificial intelligence is being shared on social media as if authentic, alongside comments suggesting that it proves the late director Stanley Kubrick staged the moon landing. Similar claims involving Kubrick have been debunked in the past.

The image was shared (here), (here), (here) with one caption reading, “Stanley Kubrick gave you the ‘Moon Landing.’ […] Space is made in a Hollywood basement or studio.”

Online theories that Stanley Kubrick had faked the moon landings have been circulating online for years (here). Reuters found this specific photo has been shared on social media since at least September 2022 (here).

Under a similar post featuring the image (here), BBC journalist Shayan Shardarizadeh commented that it was generated through AI and was first posted on a Facebook group (here).

The link leads to a post by Facebook user Mitch Gates from July 2022, which includes this picture and other similar ones (here), (here).

After another user asked in the comment section for the origin of the pictures, Gates said: “The name of the group is the answer you seek.”

The group, named AI Art Universe, has the following description: “Welcome to AI Art Universe! We are dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for those interested in the intersection of AI, design and art” (here).

Gates did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Reuters has addressed other rumors about the moon landing being fake (here), (here), (here).

VERDICT

Synthetic media. The image was generated through AI and does not prove Stanley Kubrick staged the moon landing.

This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our fact-checking work here .