Eva Mendes is making sure fans know when what they’re seeing online isn’t real. The actress called out an Instagram post after an AI-generated image made it look like her partner, Ryan Gosling, had been hanging out with Johnny Depp at San Diego Comic-Con. What made the fake somewhat convincing is that both stars really were at Comic-Con that week – they just weren’t hanging out together.
Mendes spotted the post from Instagram account @opavisions. The AI image showed the two walking together through the crowds, with Depp dressed as Ebenezer Scrooge, his character in the upcoming movie Ebenezer.
Another person, tagged as @slopaxo, was also included in the fabricated scene. According to DailyMail, the original caption went even further, describing Gosling, Depp and Slopaxo as an unlikely “best-friend trio” who had supposedly been spotted walking around, talking with fans and making spontaneous stops throughout the weekend.
Mendes went straight to the comments. “FAKE. Please let People know when you’re putting out AI,” she wrote.
© InstagramThe account responded to Mendes, first saying, “wow. I’m a big fan I love your movies.” They responded again, saying “ok we will sorry” and a third comment that read, “DISCLAIMER: THIS WAS AI*** Thank you for saying something. You’re right, and I’ll be more clear going forward.”
They continued going full fan mode, writing, “BTW, Ryan’s work has genuinely inspired me for years—The Nice Guys (real SLOPAXO vibes) and Beyond the Pines are some of my favorite films ever and a huge influence on the kind of entertaining stories I love creating one day.”
The account also complimented Mendes, saying, “Wishing you both nothing but the best.. [heart emoji] and I also I loved you in the movie Hitch I always remember that one the most. And of course Ghost Rider.” They also changed the caption to “AI.”
They were both at Comic-Con – just not together
Gosling and Depp really did make headlines at San Diego Comic-Con, only their appearances happened separately. Depp was actually at Comic-Con on July 23 to promote Ebenezer. Ebenezer also marks Depp’s first movie from a major studio since 2019’s Waiting for the Barbarians.
© Michael BucknerA source told PEOPLE that the project “felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for Depp, while another insider said his Comic-Con appearance “was revitalizing for him.”
The project comes after Depp’s highly publicized legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard and their televised 2022 defamation trial.
Gosling, meanwhile, took the stage two days later for a major Marvel announcement.
© GettyOn July 25, it was announced that the Barbie star will officially join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Johnny Blaze, better known as Ghost Rider.
The casting has an interesting connection to Mendes. Nicolas Cage previously played the supernatural Marvel character in the 2007 Ghost Rider movie, which also starred Mendes as Roxanne Simpson. Now, nearly two decades later, her longtime partner is taking over the flaming skull.
Gosling addressed the casting onstage after the announcement, telling the crowd that Ghost Rider was a character he had wanted to play “for a very long time.”
The upcoming movie is reportedly being directed by Deadpool & Wolverine filmmaker Shawn Levy and is expected to arrive in theaters in 2028.
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