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In a world with serial killers bonded to alien symbiotes, mad scientists that have robotic appendages, and some villains are literally born in Hell, it's an impressive feat one of the Marvel universe's most feared foes is Wilson Fisk, aka the Kingpin of Crime. Debuting in Amazing Spider-Man #50 and inspired by classic Hollywood actor Sydney Greenstreet, Fisk shifted his focus to the Devil of Hell's Kitchen, trying a number of tactics to bring down Daredevil and demonstrating just how far he's willing to go to take down the Man Without Fear and a host of other heroes who thought crossing him was a good idea.

Wielding an impressive intellect, incredible physical strength, and a drive that has seen heroes' lives crumble in front of them, it stands to reason that when bringing the character to life, the star playing them had to be suitable for the role. Over the years,...

Quick Links How Marvel Film/TV Adaptations Launched an Acting Career For Stan Lee Who Stan Lee Would’ve Played in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Who Wound Up Providing the Voice For Lambshank Instead?

Such legendary artists as Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby deserve all the credit in the world for how they helped shape the Marvel Universe into the media giant that it is today, but the ongoing influence of Stan Lee’s writing is so great, it’s almost impossible for anyone not to even have heard his name before. Lee’s involvement with Marvel goes far beyond the realm of the comics, however, as he also played an instrumental role in bringing the franchise’s characters to the big and small screen, by acting as an executive producer on numerous Marvel films and television series. His influence was so great that it eventually led to...

It's pretty obvious that comic book fans are spoiled by movies today. Superhero cinema is so ubiquitous that every major director and star gets asked about them on a regular basis, and in general, even the bad ones make for pretty decent films. Executives today actually grew up with these characters and care about seeing them done right -- and part of that is getting the costumes up to cinematic speed. Spandex looks silly, and muscle suits often look fake, but movies are no longer so embarrassed about superhero palettes that they have to make everything black.

It was not always thus. Just over a couple decades ago, studios were still actively blowing it in a big way when it came to superhero fashions. And we're not just talking about how Michael Keaton's jeans as Bruce Wayne in the 1989 "Batman" make his butt look terrible, like he pissed off the wardrobe department.

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Stan Lee was known as a Marvel Comics writer and editorial director. He was instrumental in creating some of the company's most prominent characters and oversaw the entire comic book universe's direction. Lee went from the voice of Marvel to its cameo king over the course of his illustrious career, and even fans who weren't familiar with him before soon got to know the guy, thanks to Lee's frequent MCU appearances. However, he was stealthily starting his cameo career well before the MCU, and unbeknownst to many, his résumé includes a truly offbeat appearance in Disney's "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement."

In this 2004 romantic comedy that depicts the further adventures of Princess of Genovia Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway), Lee has a brief but fun turn as a foreign wedding guest who does his best to greet Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews) with language skills that,...

Stan Lee is well-known for his Marvel cameos, but has also appeared in numerous animated projects, including film and television. Stan Lee, the legendary writer and co-creator of numerous Marvel superheroes, became a beloved figure in Marvel fandom, known for his iconic voice and appearance. Stan Lee has a cameo in most live-action Marvel movies, appearing in early adaptations of his characters and most movies in the MCU timeline. Though these became his most famous, Lee appeared in a litany of animated Marvel projects, serving as narrator or playing minor characters from Marvel Comics.

Stan Lees first cameo was in 1989s The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, and quickly became a staple of Marvel movies that adapted characters Lee created. This led to a swathe of cameos in the early 2000s superhero movie boom, solidifying his status as Marvels premier cameo star. Maintaining this throughout the MCU catalog, Lee appeared...

Bill Bixby was disagnosed with cancer after his third Incredible Hulk movie. Fans mistakenly believe Bixby's illness prevented the fourth Hulk movie, but it was really due to poor ratings. Bixby's health was not the reason for the cancellation, but rather the network's decision not to proceed.

TV Legend: Bill Bixby was going to do another Incredible Hulk TV movie and/or a She-Hulk TV series but he was too sick from cancer to do them.

One of the most common types of legends that I come across is tied in to a very relatable phenomenon that occurs in real life. From an excellent article on the topic at LiveScience, Natalie Wolchover notes:

You might not realize it, but your brain is a code-cracking machine.

For emaxlpe, it desont mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod aepapr, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat...

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.

Ben Affleck's Daredevil meets a grim end in the Deadpool & Wolverine movie, adding to the hero's unlucky on-screen history. The film seems to reference Affleck's real-life divorce from Jennifer Garner. Despite rumors of a potential cameo, Affleck's closure with Daredevil seems finalized, especially as the actor himself shifts focus away from superhero films.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Deadpool & Wolverine has delivered another kick to Ben Affleck's Daredevil. While for a time it was rumored that the Justice League star would cameo in Shawn Levy's MCU film, the movie's release confirmed this was not the case. The ending of Deadpool & Wolverine saw the titular two heroes return to Earth-10005, having left a trail of violence and death behind them. While there were many Deadpool easter eggs and references in the movie, perhaps one of the most significant...

Avid fans are pretty much aware of every Stan Lee cameo in past Marvel movies, and ever since the legendary comics creator passed away in November 2018, the studio ended his appearances after Avengers: Endgame.

Stan Lee in Deadpool / 20th Century Studios

Lee appeared in both Deadpool movies – as a DJ in a strip club in the first one and as a building mural in the sequel. Director Shawn Levy revealed what Lee’s role could have been in the third installment.

Shawn Levy Reveals Stan Lee’s Would-Have-Been Cameo In Deadpool & Wolverine

Appearing on Jake’s Takes via YouTube, Deadpool & Wolverine’s Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and Shawn Levy discussed their upcoming project and talked about Stan Lee’s possible cameo.

Stan Lee in Deadpool 2 / 20th Century Studios

The famed comics creator appeared in several MCU movies in his lifetime which was always a spectacular scene that many fans anticipated the most.

Quick Links Lee's Marvel Cameo Legacy Stan Lee's Unexpected DC Appearance The Modern State of Superhero Media Stan Lee's impact on the comic book industry is undeniable, with a hand in creating iconic Marvel characters. His numerous cameos in Marvel films technically made him the highest-grossing actor in American film history. Stan Lee's unexpected DC appearance in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies comments on the oversaturation of superhero media.

Stan Lee is perhaps the biggest name in American comic book history. The Marvel mastermind had a hand in creating or co-creating Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, the Fantastic Four, Black Widow, Doctor Strange, and numerous others. It was Lee's guiding input that transformed Marvel Comics into the global powerhouse that it is today. Aside from his behind-the-scenes work, Lee saw a resurgence later in his career thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Each film would see Lee pop...

1989’s The Trial of the Incredible Hulk was a made-for-television movie that served as a backdoor pilot for a Daredevil television series. The film also introduced viewers to Matt Murdock / Daredevil and Wilson Fisk / Kingpin. However, before they could go on to headline their own series, plans were scrapped for an unexpected reason.

Rex Smith as Daredevil in The Trial of the Incredible Hulk

According to actor Rex Smith, who played Daredevil in the movie, there was every intention for the backdoor pilot to expand into a television series. However, these plans never materialized because of another network’s rival series and the spotlight cast upon it. Here is how a planned 90s Daredevil series was canceled because of a DC show.

A 1990s Daredevil Series Was Reportedly Canned Because of DC’s The Flash Show

In 1989’s The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, actor Rex Smith played Matt Murdock...

Hulk's original films make choices that continue to impact the character's legacy today. Hulk's original movie lineup can be seen to sideline him for other heroes, potentially affecting his reputation as a standalone character. The original Hulk series ended on a low note, which may have exacerbated the idea of Hulk looking like a more risky character for solo ventures.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe Hulk is still baring the brunt of movie mistakes that have been present in the character's film history for 36 years. While the modern Hulk movie history begins for most with The Incredible Hulk's release in 2008, the cinematic history of the iconic Marvel character goes back considerably further. In fact, the first ever Hulk film was released in 1977, starting the series with The Incredible Hulk and Death in the Family - which would also serve as a direct part of The Incredible Hulk show.

These releases...

Charlie Cox made his debut in the MCU proper in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and has made further appearances in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Echo. Spider-Man: No Way Home saw Matt Murdock give Peter Parker legal advice, just as Rex Smith's Murdock did for David Banner in 1989's The Trial of the Incredible Hulk. Matt Murdock being known as a lawyer in the MCU is the perfect way to introduce him to a wide array of superheroes, who may need legal or vigilante assistance.

Marvel Studios introduced Daredevil to the MCU in 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home, repeating a brilliant story 32 years after the Marvel Comics hero made his live-action debut in 1989's The Trial of the Incredible Hulk. Since Charlie Cox debuted as Matt Murdock, a.k.a. Daredevil, in Marvel Television's Defenders Saga, the blind lawyer-come-vigilante has become a fan-favorite character in the McU's roster.

Stan Lee made cameo appearances in 30 years of Marvel's live-action projects prior to his passing in 2018. Stan Lee's first Marvel cameo was in 1989's The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, and he made two posthumous appearances in 2019's Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame. Two of Stan Lee's Marvel cameos broke from tradition, as they weren't original characters for their live-action franchises.

For 30 years prior to his passing in 2018, Stan Lee made cameo appearances in many live-action adaptations of stories from Marvel Comics, but two of these appearances, one from Fox's Marvel franchise and one in the MCU, broke tradition. Stan Lee became an assistant at Timely Comics in 1939, and spent the next several decades rising through the ranks, eventually becoming the primary creative leader of Marvel Comics. Even after his retirement in the 1990s, Lee remained as Marvel Comics' public figurehead, and became the highest-grossing person in film ever thanks...

This article contains Daredevil spoilers

A minion nears his powerful master with good news. Spider-Man has gone, leaving the city unprotected. “This means the time has come to proceed with my master plan!” he responds, before explaining his plot to consolidate power.

These types of pronouncements aren’t uncommon among supervillains, many of whom have menaced the heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Everyone from Kaecilius in Doctor Strange to Thanos across the Infinity Saga has launched a major battle to destroy their enemies and conquer the world.

But the guy we’re talking about here has no such lofty intentions. As 1967’s Amazing Spider-Man #50 demonstrates, Wilson Fisk endeavors to be no more than the Kingpin of Crime, the mastermind behind all of the illegal activities in New York City. And those limited ambitions make Fisk’s return to the MCU so monumental. Vincent D’Onofrio will reprise his role as Wilson Fisk in Echo,...

Stan Lee's first theatrical cameo in a Marvel movie was in X-Men in 2000, but his original cameo in Blade from 1998 was cut from the final film. Theories speculate that the Blade cameo was removed because Lee wasn't involved in the creation of the character or that the adult themes of the movie were deemed too much for Lee to be associated with at the time. Lee's scene in Blade would have been more than just a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment and was part of a larger list of scenes that were ultimately scrapped from the final cut.

The sheer volume of Stan Lee cameos in Marvel movies (and others) is hard to overstate, but there is one cameo that will tragically never be seen - and it just so happens to be one of his first. Ever since Marvel movies were a thing, Stan Lee has been sure to feature in them.

Hulk (2003) is not on Disney+ and had a mixed reception, but it offers a unique character study and is worth watching for fans of the character. It's now available on Netflix. Hulk set the tone for Stan Lee's speaking cameos in Marvel projects, being the first time he had lines in a Marvel movie. Lee went on to have speaking cameos in future Marvel movies until his final appearance in Avengers: Endgame. Despite its flaws, Hulk is an important part of Marvel movie history, as it experimented with serious storytelling for fantastical characters. It paved the way for the development of the McU's Bruce Banner and Hulk.

Bruce Banner is one of the most prolific heroes in the MCU, but a pre-Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, Hulk (2003), is now available to stream on Netflix and was the first to pull off a now-classic Marvel feat. Unlike most Marvel characters, the...

Even though the Hulk first starred in a TV series, he’s been featured in multiple classic and MCU movies since the 80s. We’ll cover the famously jacked Lou Ferrigno in his classic Hulk films and the more recent MCU Hulk movies in order.

Hulk, with his unparalleled might, which intriguingly amplifies with his escalating anger, has become one of the most celebrated and complex characters in the Marvel realm. His resilience, boundless strength, and the intriguing dichotomy of his existence as both the genius Dr. Bruce Banner and the colossal Hulk have rendered him a character of both empathic depth and exhilarating action.

Related: The Evolution of Superheroes: 12 Movies That Shaped the Genre

As a dedicated Hulk fan (who was once painted all green to be Hulk for Halloween), I can relate to his “always angry” persona.

Embark with us on a riveting journey through time, exploring every Hulk movie chronologically.

Daredevil's costumes have significantly evolved over time, from the simplistic black outfit in his earlier appearances to the vibrant red suit in the Daredevil TV series. Different adaptations of Daredevil's costume have had mixed results, with some struggling to translate the plain-colored fabric from the comics to the screen. The best live-action Daredevil suit to date is the updated red suit in Daredevil Season 2, with subtle differences that elevate its design, including a better-fitting headpiece and sleeker front.

Daredevil is an iconic Marvel hero, and something that sets him apart is his wide variety of superhero costumes. Though perhaps best known for sporting an all-red, skin-tight outfit as he patrols the streets of Hell's Kitchen, Daredevil has also worn several other ensembles, from simple black to vibrant yellow. Even within the MCU, the character's look has significantly evolved, and that's equally true in his earlier, pre-mcu appearances.

The simplicity of...

Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe was launched with the release of Iron Man back in 2008, ushering in a new era of superhero media for the world to enjoy, Marvel already had a lengthy track record of movies and television adaptations. Most like X-Men: The Animated Series, Spider-Man: The Animated Series, and Blade are often remembered fondly with praise and admiration.

However, as with any multimedia giant, many of the adaptations are nothing like their Marvel Comics counterparts and do not hold up as well. Over the last several decades, many of Marvel's adaptations have fallen into obscurity and are only remembered by a niche group of fans who remain privy to their existence.

Related: The Best Marvel Animated Series

Doctor Strange (1978)

The 1978 Doctor Strange movie, sitting at a middling 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, was the first appearance of the Sorcerer Supreme on the silver screen and is one fans have...

Stan Lee was originally planned to cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which would have made one character's debut even more terrifying. Released on May 5, 2023, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 marked the final adventure for the original line-up of the McU's cosmic team, and director James Gunn's last project with Marvel Studios before making the move to DC. Not only did Vol. 3 conclude the Guardians' story, but it was also the first Guardians of the Galaxy film not to feature a cameo from Stan Lee, the creative leader of Marvel Comics who had cameo appearances in every MCU project until 2019's Avengers: Endgame.

Stan Lee was hired as an assistant of Timely Comics in 1939, and rose through the ranks during the evolution of Timely into Marvel Comics in the 1960s. Lee was the primary creative director of Marvel Comics for two-decades, regularly collaborating with Jack Kirby...

Top: Spider-Man 3 (Screenshot: Sony Pictures/YouTube); Bottom left to right: Iron Man (Screenshot: Paramount Pictures/YouTube); The Trial Of The Incredible Hulk (Screenshot: CBS/YouTube); X-Men: The Last Stand (Screenshot: 20th Century Studios/YouTube) By the final decades of his long and legendary life, Stan Lee was perhaps less...

They’re two of the biggest questions that occupy Marvel fans’ thoughts: what happened to Captain America after he went back in time in Avengers: Endgame and how exactly does Stan Lee manage to cameo everywhere in the McU, regardless of time or space? Well, this wild fan theory wonders if these two mysteries are actually linked. Yes, what if Stan Lee is actually old Captain America?

As shared on the r/FanTheories subreddit, the theory hinges on Lee’s similarity in age to Steve Rogers once he lived a happy life married to Peggy Carter in the past. The Redditor wonders if, presumably before he arrived at that lakeside to give his shield to Sam Wilson in Endgame, Old Lee Cap went on to hop around the timeline in order to check up on his friends and allies. This would explain why he’s always hanging around the heroes of the Marvel universe.

The Stan Lee cameo has been a cherished tradition in Marvel movies for a long time now. But with the iconic comic book creator no longer with us, it seems a new tradition may be about to take its place. Namely, the Deadpool cameo.

At least, that’s according to insider Roger Wardell, who’s got a proven track record when it comes to Marvel scoops, accurately leaking a lot of information about Endgame last year, while also dropping several other nuggets over the past little while that’ve proven to be true.

Taking to Twitter earlier this month – on what seems to be a new and presumably, replacement, account – he shared the following bit of information:

Marvel considering to utilize Deadpool for brief cameos after DP3 release. Stan Lee will continue to show up in more sophisticated and subtle manner.

Relive All Of Stan Lee's Marvel Cameos With This...

A staple of any Marvel movie, including those outside of the McU, was always the Stan Lee cameo. I mean, who could blame the man largely responsible for creating the modern-day Gods for wanting to be a part of the films in some way?

Of course, Lee passed away in 2018, but he still managed to make more than 60 cameos in various movies and TV shows over the years. Perhaps the most memorable of them all though was his appearance in Deadpool. In the film, he plays a DJ in a strip club introducing “Chastity to the stage.” But according to Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld, Lee didn’t do the scene on set. Instead, he was by himself in front of a green screen and was placed in the strip club afterwards.

“And here we go to the biggest cameo of all time,” Liefeld said during a commentary track he did with ComicBook.com’s Brandon Davis.

No matter the hero in the lead or the time period or the tone, there was one thing that tied every movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe together: legendary comic book creator Stan Lee was always there to drop by for a cameo. Sadly, Lee passed away in November 2018 at the age of 95. Given how much a fixture of the franchise his cameos were, though, fans are wondering if the studio will ever employ someone else to pick up where the great man left off to appear in every film.

If you don’t like the sounds of that, however, don’t worry, as we’ve been assured that this is not something Marvel’s planning. Executive producer Victoria Alonso spoke to Miami Latin News recently and was asked “who’s next?” to take over Lee’s cameos. Alonso made clear that they “will never try” to find someone else...

Now that Spider-Man is officially back in the McU, fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Even better yet, they can start thinking about the web-slinger’s future movies instead of dwelling on the “will they or won’t they all be friends” drama of the Sony/Disney feud.

Spider-Man 3, with a tentative release date of July 2021, is definitely giving us plenty of time to theorize, hope and dream. If you’re like me though and you were introduced to Matt Murdock and Daredevil in 1989 with the release of The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, you’ll love what we’re about to tell you – so get ready.

Remember how Mysterio outed Peter as the hero at the end of Far From Home? Well, it’s obvious the teenager is going to need some help. Legal, at the very least, and apparently, he may be calling on Mr. Murdock for assistance,...

The first “X-Men” movie, released in 2000, was also the first of 34 Marvel theatrical films featuring a cameo by Stan Lee (Lee also appeared in the TV movie “The Trial of the Incredible Hulk” in 1989). However, as “Transformers” and “X-Men” producer Tom DeSanto explained during Thursday’s “A Celebration of Stan Lee’s Life and Legacy” panel, it almost didn’t happen.

“I was trying to get Stan to do a cameo in ‘X-Men 1,’ and we were shooting up in Toronto and there was always an excuse,” said DeSanto. “So, Stan finally agreed and he said on the phone call he’s like, “Tom, you don’t understand I’m in a lawsuit with Marvel right now.”

“They don’t want me to do that,” added Lee.

Also Read: Comic-Con Crowd Tells 'The Batman' Director Matt Reeves 'Don't Screw Up Our Batman Movie'

DeSanto relented and responded, “Stan, you are Marvel.

While Avengers: Endgame served as a rousing finale to Marvel Studios’ 22-film Infinity Saga, one couldn’t help but feel a small moment of sorrow when Stan Lee’s final cameo flashed before our eyes. The legendary comic book creator passed away last November, having shot a few extra scenes a couple of years prior. Now that co-director Joe Russo has confirmed the cameos are over, fans are pushing for Chris Evans’ old man Steve Rogers to take up the mantle.

Having appeared in all 22 McU films since Iron Man in 2008, as well as nearly every other Marvel property – from Fox’s X-Men movies to Disney’s animated series and even the Netflix shows – it’s going take a while to get used to not seeing Smilin’ Stan pop up for a quippy one-liner. Over the years, some have argued that Lee’s cameos took them out of the cinematic experience,...

I expect to feel a lot of emotions during Avengers: Endgame, but I’m betting the most tear-jerking moment won’t have anything to do with my favorite heroes biting the dust or the sacrifices needed to defeat Thanos. Nope, I think it’s going to be that final Stan Lee cameo.

It’s been confirmed that this will be his last on-screen appearance in the McU, and given that his cameos in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Captain Marvel hit me right in the feels, this is going to be a gut punch of epic proportions.

Fortunately, it seems that Marvel Studios are all too eager to give Lee the credit he deserves for helping create this wonderful cinematic universe. The cast has been effusive about their experiences with him on the red carpet for Avengers: Endgame‘s premiere, and now, it seems that the home video release may...

Last night, the biggest stars of the McU attended the world premiere of Avengers: Endgame in Los Angeles. But before everyone was sat down for the long-awaited culmination of the McU’s first decade, many of the cast members took a moment to share some memories of the late Stan Lee.

Thor actor Chris Hemsworth, for instance, recalled how the renowned comic book creator had a “sort of child-like wonder,” an “infectious” energy and a “love for these stories.”

Thor actor @ChrisHemsworth — who kept the kids at home to avoid their jet lag energy — took a moment to reflect on working with the late Stan Lee https://t.co/zGVMqoSwQF #AvengersEndGame pic.twitter.com/9hwzBKPzWy

— Lat Entertainment (@latimesent) April 23, 2019

Meanwhile, Benedict Wong reminisced about the time he met Lee on the press line for Doctor Strange. The Wong actor explained how he “broke the press line and just made a...

In November of last year, legendary comic book creator Stan Lee passed away, and to a certain extent, the upcoming Avengers: Endgame will stand as one big, 3-hour tribute to the writer’s legacy. In fact, if you ask Jeremy Renner, the man will in some ways be right there with us next week as we make that trip to the theater.

As part of the press tour for the Avengers: Infinity War sequel, the Hawkeye actor stopped by Seoul, South Korea, where he was interviewed by Cna. When asked what he thought Lee’s reaction would be watching the McU’s Phase 3 finale, Renner offered the following response:

“He’s going to be watching it, brother. He’s watching it. He’s in all of us. He’s going to be watching it.”

No doubt Lee will be on the mind of many filmgoers as they go to see next week’s release,...

Avengers: Endgame is right around the corner now and is sure to contain superheroic moments designed to put a tear in the audience’s eye. But there’s one scene we know’s going to happen that we can guarantee is going to be emotional: Stan Lee’s cameo.

His appearance in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Captain Marvel already had me welling up, but now that we’ve had confirmation that Endgame will be the final time we see him in the McU, it’s going to be a mighty difficult scene to watch.

It also seems like his passing has particularly affected the cast of the films. After all, due to his cameos, he’s been a presence on set for the last decade and now, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Renner have sat down with Marvel Studios head honcho...

In November of last year, legendary comic book creator Stan Lee passed away, though not before filming a few more of his patented cameo. Last month’s Captain Marvel, for instance, featured an unusually meta take on the tradition, as the writer appeared as himself reading for his part in Mallrats. But in the upcoming Avengers: Endgame, it looks like Lee is finally bringing his run of cameos to a close.

Co-director Joe Russo hinted as such while attending a fan event in India earlier this month, and in a recent interview with ComicBook.com, the filmmaker confirmed that Endgame will serve as Lee’s last cinematic outing.

“This was his final cameo that was committed to film,” Russo said. “It was always… Again, I grew up as a Marvel fanatic, and watching Spider-Man cartoon show as a kid with his voice in it. I think anything that affects you as a child,...

Captain Marvel has been yet another triumph for Marvel Studios.

At $550M and climbing, the 90s-set adventure is well on its way to topping $1 billion – a rare feat for Marvel-owned movies, given only six McU films have been enshrined into the billion-dollar club. The top three are all Avengers films (no surprise there), while Iron Man 3 and Captain America: Civil War currently round out the top six.

That means Black Panther is Marvel’s only non-sequel to gross higher than $1 billion, so as things stand, Captain Marvel is headed towards box office immortality.

And as the post-mortem continues, Marvel Studios editor Debbie Berman has revealed details of the original ending she had planned for Carol Danvers’ solo flight.

I did actually suggest some tweaks to the ending of this film. It used to end with Carol flying off into space alone, and I found that a bit jarring.

Leave it to über-contrarian Bill Maher to post insensitive and uncalled for comments about the late, great Stan Lee.

This past weekend, the American TV host hopped on his blog to share a scathing open letter on “adulting” and generally belittle the medium of comic books. To make things even worse, his high-brow ramblings also suggested that the sheer popularity of comics, as an entertainment medium, is part of the reason why Donald Trump was elected. His words, not ours.

Now, Maher’s taking a chance to clear the air and respond to all the outrage surrounding his comments. Speaking on Larry King Now, here’s what he had to say about it:

“But talk about making my point for me: Yeah, I don’t know very much about Stan Lee and it certainly wasn’t a swipe at Stan Lee. Yeah, fine. I am agnostic on Stan Lee. I don’t read comic books.

As the outpouring of online tributes to the late Stan Lee continue, this period of collective mourning has inevitably seen its share of conflict, much of it stemming from a controversial blog post written by Real Time host Bill Maher.

In this well-circulated piece, the comedian and political commentator used the renowned writer’s recent passing as a jumping-off point for a blanket criticism of comic book culture in general, arguing that comics represent an unimportant and juvenile art form that doesn’t deserve to be taken seriously.

Naturally, the fan backlash came hard and fast, and among these condemnations was a tweet from Neil Gaiman, a writer perhaps best known for his comic book series The Sandman. The author’s short message dismisses the controversial piece as a cry for attention before observing how Lee’s legacy and popularity overshadow Maher’s.

“Maher’s just trolling, and lots of...

In the wake of Stan Lee’s passing, tributes from current and former stars of the McU have been emerging at an overwhelming rate, with Black Panther villain Michael B. Jordan being among the many to show his gratitude to the man who helped make the Marvel brand what it is today.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Creed II star reflected on the legacy of the late, great comic book creator.

“[He] literally changed the face of entertainment in so many different ways,” Jordan said, “He showed people how to dream; how to escape.”

In reference to the writer’s traditional cameo, Jordan went on to say that he was “honored to be a part of one of the last films [Lee] got a chance to be a part of,” before signing off his tribute with, “Rest in peace, Stan Lee. We lost a really, really good one.”

Relive All...

Legendary comic book creator Stan Lee was laid to rest on Friday in a small, private funeral.

According to a statement issued by Lee’s own Pow! Entertainment, a ceremony was conducted in accordance with the writer’s wishes that he didn’t want to have a large, public service.

“As we all continue to process our feelings of loss at the passing of a true legend, many are asking if there will be a memorial in Stan’s honor,” Pow!’s statement read. “Stan was always adamant that he did not want a large public funeral, and as such his family has conducted a private closed ceremony in accordance with his final wishes.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with them.”

Though the ceremony was closed to the public, social media has been flooding with tributes from Lee’s legions of fans and associates reflecting on the man and his influence.

As the writer who helped make the company what it is today, the late Stan Lee is the subject of an upcoming line of covers from Marvel Comics that will pay tribe to the man and his legacy.

The news was shared with retailers today that a special trade dress honoring the comic book creator will feature on a range of upcoming releases going on sale from next month. While we’ve yet to get a look at the designs, ComicBook.com has provided a full list of issues to feature the trade dress, which breaks down as follows:

Amazing Spider-Man #12

Black Panther vs. Deadpool #3

Captain America #6

Champions Annual #1

Defenders: The Best Defense #1

Domino #9

Exiles #11

Extermination #5

Iceman #4

Infinity Wars #6

Killmonger #2

Marvel Knights 20th #4

Old Man Hawkeye #12

Runaways #16

Season’s Beatings #1

Shuri #3

Spider-Geddon #5

The Life of Captain Marvel #5

The Punisher #5

Thor #8

Tony Stark: Iron Man #7

Uncanny X-Men #6

Weapon H #11

West Coast...

Following Stan Lee‘s tragic death on Monday at the age of 95, those who knew him or were lucky enough to get to meet him have been sharing stories online that remind us how kind, generous and just generally how much fun he was as a person. Case in point, this anecdote which recalls how Lee surprised Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr,. at his birthday party a few years ago.

According to Lee’s longtime manager Brad Herman, the comic book legend was invited to Downey Jr.’s big 50th birthday bash but couldn’t make it. So he sent a note to the Tony Stark actor on – what else? – Spider-Man stationary. In typical Stan style, the note read: “May Destiny grant you good health and much time. You deserve so much more than this simple rhyme.” He signed off with his classic catchphrase: “Excelsior.”

As it turns out,...

It’s been a tough week for Marvel fans the world over as the legend that was Stan Lee passed away on Monday, at the grand age of 95. Twitter has been awash with comic book creators, movie stars and fans paying their respects to the great man whose work touched so many of our lives. And Nick Fury himself, Samuel L. Jackson, is among them, penning a beautifully-put tribute to Lee.

“Thank you @TheRealStanLee,” Jackson wrote,” for the escape from this world & great joy inhabiting the ones you created!! You made so many believe in the good, the heroic, the villainous, the exciting, most of all, you were giving & gracious to us all. Rip.”

Of course, Jackson has the honor of playing one of Lee’s creations in the indefatigable S.H.I.E.L.D. director, though strictly speaking, the McU’s Nick Fury is based on the Ultimate version,...

As the tributes flood in for the departed Stan Lee, it’s important to remember that while the great man left us a magnificent and inspiring legacy of superheroism, the last year of his life was pockmarked by unnecessary drama and sinister figures. I’ve been writing about Lee’s problems for a while now, and together, they make for a series of increasingly strange and worrying stories that had many concerned for the wellbeing of the comic book legend.

They began last summer when Joan, his wife of seven decades died. Sensing vulnerability, the vultures swooped in and began picking at his fortune and exploiting his fame. There’d been repeated reports of power struggles over who will care for Lee, with those responsible ending up controlling his financial affairs. Into this came florist turned publicist Jerry Olivarez, Lee’s longtime road manager Max Anderson and memorabilia dealer Keya Morgan...

Few people have a better understanding of Stan Lee’s immense contributions to comic book history than the man who took over his role as Marvel Comics Eic, Roy Thomas. So when the news broke earlier this week of the writer’s passing, it figures that Lee’s old friend and colleague had some reverent words to say about the legend, while also recalling his continued enthusiasm for his patented Marvel movie cameos.

Speaking to Bleeding Cool, Thomas reminisced about Lee’s final days, saying that he was still keen to return to the big screen so long as it didn’t create too many problems:

“At that time, it was obvious that he lacked much of the old Stan Lee energy that everybody had got to know at conventions and in movie cameos, but when I asked him about future cameos, he expressed a real interest in making them,...

“Stan Lee‘s best creation was always Stan.”

Marvel Comics is paying tribute to the iconic comic book author, who died at age 95 on Monday, with a new video clip.

Lee is credited with co-creating some of the most popular superheroes of all time, from Spider-Man to the Hulk and the X-Men.

The compilation — which has already been viewed more than 2 million times since it was posted on YouTube, Tuesday — features old footage of Lee, as well as interviews with people who worked with him or whose lives were influenced by him in some capacity.

Marvel’s chief creative officer...

Stan Lee’s passing was a sad day for all. Over the last 50 years, his groundbreaking comic book work in the 1960s and beyond dominated the genre and went a long way to making Marvel Comics what it is today, which itself spawned the outrageously successful and critically beloved Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as the X-Men franchise and myriad other standalone features.

And though those films might have spanned multiple planets and eras, there’s been one constant throughout all of them: a cheeky and often humorous cameo by Lee himself. In fact, he became so notorious for popping up that he made an appearance in the PlayStation 4 smash Marvel’s Spider-Man and, even more unexpectedly, in the DC film Teen Titans Go! To The Movies.

Though you’d expect these to finish now, it’s been widely reported that Marvel Studios (presumably conscious of Lee’s age) shoot...

Stan Lee was mourned across the world by millions of fans, digital outlets and newspapers — but one publication found itself mistaking him for another famous artist.

New Zealand’s The Gisborne Herald printed a photograph of Lee, who died at 95, on the front page of their newspaper but wrote Spike Lee’s name instead.

The BlacKkKlansman director, 61, responded to the error via a post on his Instagram account Tuesday and shared a screenshot of the newspaper’s front page.

“God Bless Stan Lee. Me? Not Yet. And Dat’s Da “I’m Still A Live, And Strivin'” Truth, Ruth. Ya-dig?...

Which Marvel hero has shown up in more films than any of the Avengers or the X-Men? That’s right, it’s the one and only Stan Lee, who’d been a fixture of nearly every production from the House of Ideas for the past two decades. Whether it was released by Disney, Fox or Sony, the industry legend was always welcome to appear for a cameo in the latest film based on the franchise that he gave birth to, and nearly every single time he popped up, it was a treat for fans.

Known primarily for creating such iconic characters as Spider-Man, Hulk, Doctor Strange, the Fantastic Four and so many other great Marvel heroes and villains, Lee also became the undisputed king of cameos in his lifetime. From Captain America: Civil War and The Defenders to this year’s Avengers: Infinity War, not a Marvel movie – or TV show!

Even among filmgoers who’ve never touched a comic book, Stan Lee is still a recognizable figure for his traditional Marvel movie cameos. And though the legendary writer is no longer with us, you can expect to see him at least a couple more times on our screens in upcoming McU releases like Captain Marvel and Avengers 4.

In fact, with directors Anthony and Joe Russo explaining earlier this year that Lee’s cameos were filmed in bulk, there’s no telling how many more McU appearances the late publisher might still have to go. In an interview with Variety, however, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige thought it best that Lee’s future screen outings stayed a mystery for the time being:

“I’m not going to tell you what specifically, but Stan always appreciated a good surprise.”

Feige offered much the same line when he spoke to THR, suggesting that...

Stan Lee was a unique creative force and his characters are famous worldwide, adored by practically every living generation and currently the biggest box office draw on the planet. With his death yesterday, many are taking stock of the total creative output in his lifetime, concluding that perhaps not since Walt Disney has one man’s creative vision influenced the world of entertainment so greatly. And now, in one of the best tributes I’ve seen to date, Marvel Entertainment has released a video explaining exactly what he meant to the company.

Opening with footage of Stan Lee speaking to the camera in 1968 (it’s surreal seeing him this young), we gradually move through photographs and videos of his life while contemporary forces at Marvel talk about their experiences with Lee, including Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada, Senior Vice President Tom Brevoort, President of Marvel Entertainment Dan Buckley and Sana Amanat,...

Stan Lee was a God to fans of comic books and superhero movies around the world, and many viewed Lee’s short-but-sweet cameos as the best parts of Marvel films. As a tribute to the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics, who died at age 95 on Monday, we’ve compiled a list of all his cameos in the Marvel universe.

“The Trial of the Incredible Hulk” (1989)

Lee made his first cameo nearly 30 years ago in the TV movie, as a jury member in “David” Banner’s (Hulk’s alter-ego) imagined trial.

“X-Men” (2000)

Stan Lee’s feature film cameo (unfortunately his “Blade” appearance was left on the cutting room floor) was in the premiere “X-Men” flick. Fans spotted him selling hot dogs on the beach while the recently transformed Senator Kelly emerges from the waves.

“Spider-Man” (2002)

When the Green Goblin causes an explosion, Lee was the bystander who shields a young girl from debris.