Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Stan Lee

  • Marvel Makes a 20-Year Deal With Genius Brands and POW! Entertainment for Stan Lee’s Likeness and Name

    Marvel Makes a 20-Year Deal With Genius Brands and POW! Entertainment for Stan Lee’s Likeness and Name

    It’s definitely a weird deal to talk about, but it seems that Marvel has acquired the rights to bring Stan Lee, who passed away in 2018, back to life through archival footage and digital technology. If you’re wondering what exactly this is all about, it seems that Marvel has signed a 20-year deal with Stan Lee Universe, which is a venture of Genius Brand International and POW! Entertainment. It lets them license the use of his name and likeness in any future film or TV production, as well as Disney theme parks, “experiences,” and merchandising.

    The CEO of Genius Brands, Andy Heyward, has shared the following statement on the decision to make this deal and revive the beloved comic creator, who quickly became the face of Marvel, through digital means.

    It really ensures that Stan, through digital technology and archival footage and other forms, will live in the most important venue, the Marvel movies, and Disney theme parks. It’s a broad deal.

    Andy Heyward

    Stan Lee‘s cameos in the various Marvel films, not just Marvel Studios’ MCU, were a staple and they have found indirect ways to mention the comic creator with small tributes to the actor without actually including him. Of course, it’s unclear if he’ll actually return as a digital character in these films. Plus, it’s not certain people will feel comfortable seeing a digital double of Lee on the silver screen. Best case, they might include his likeness in the background like how the Netflix shows had him on posters. Heyward highlights:

    The audience revered Stan, and if it’s done with taste and class, and respectful of who he was, [uses of his likeness] will be welcomed. He is a beloved personality, and long after you and I are gone, he will remain the essence of Marvel.

    Andy Heyward

    The deal is still a strange one, as Stan Lee Universe was originally founded by Gill Champion and Arthur Lieberman with the comic creator to “steward” the legacy he left behind. It’s unclear just how detailed the dealing is and if they have to sign off on the use of his likeness, but we’ll have to see how this deal pans out. They likely may have also made a deal due to existing merchandise using Lee‘s likeness.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • Marvel Rejected a Posthumous Stan Lee Cameo in ‘Loki’-Inspired ‘The Simpsons’ Disney+ Short

    Marvel Rejected a Posthumous Stan Lee Cameo in ‘Loki’-Inspired ‘The Simpsons’ Disney+ Short

    It has been a long-standing tradition that Stan Lee gets a cameo in the ongoing Marvel Cinematic Universe. Tragically, he passed away in 2018 making Avengers: Endgame his final cameo. Marvel Studios’ Executive Vice President of Production, Victoria Alonso, famously stated that no one could replace him. As such, the franchise has paid tribute to the famed comic creator in different ways, such as his birthday appearing on a license plate.

    His work alongside Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko defined the comic landscape in their days. Of course, Lee has famously appeared in other franchises such as his iconic Mallrats cameo and even in animated form. According to The Simpsons showrunner Al Jean, they actually considered using unused footage from an old recording with the comic legend for The Good, The Bart, and The Loki Disney+ short, but it was swiftly denied by Marvel.

    We just thought, ‘Oh, we have Stan Lee audio from when he was on our show, could we cameo him in?’ And they said that their policy is he doesn’t cameo now that he’s passed away, which is a completely understandable policy. That was their only note and that was, of course, easily done. And the Grogu note [for the Star Wars-themed short] made total sense, too. It was like, if you let everybody use Grogu in their stuff that wanted to, it would be all over. Believe me, I respect that these franchises have a great power beyond ours. I respect it.

    It’s great to see that Marvel wants to keep Lee‘s legacy alive by focusing on his work. The last ones he shot before his passing were for Captain Marvel, which even has a Mallrats reference, and Endgame. The former even included a tribute to him in its fanfare. Marvel Studios’ approach of using subtle references is a nice way to keep his spirit alive. It won’t be the same moving forward, but he certainly left a mark on the franchise that’ll last for generations.

    Source: Miami Latin News, ComicBook