After a new deal inked between Marvel, Genius Brands and POW! Entertainment, Stan Lee's Marvel Cinematic Universe cameos could return with CGI and old footage. The long-running comic book franchise has built its foundation on a number of iconic characters created by Lee and artist Jack Kirby, namely Mark Ruffalo's Hulk, Chris Hemsworth's Thor and Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man. The films have also included Lee and Steve Ditko's Doctor Strange played by Benedict Cumberbatch and their most successful Marvel character, Spider-Man, which has now technically been played by Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland within the MCU thanks to Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Lee's involvement with the MCU wasn't relegated solely to the use of his characters as the comic book creator would become known for making cameo appearances in every MCU title as well as other Marvel adaptations including Sony's various Spider-Man franchises, Fox's X-Men films and Disney's Big Hero 6. Though Lee would die in 2018 at the age of 95, he did film a number of cameos before his passing, being featured posthumously in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame. While subsequent MCU films and shows have taken to including Lee with the help of posters and magazines in various locations, it appears the future may now have a different plan.
The Hollywood Reporter has brought word that Marvel has signed a massive 20-year deal with Genius Brands International and POW! Entertainment's joint venture Stan Lee Universe to license the likeness of Lee in future films and TV productions as well as Disney theme parks, merchandizing and more. This new deal does open the door for Stan lee's MCU cameos to return in the future with the use of CGI and old footage, though inside sources note that decision has yet to be made by the studios involved. Genius Brands CEO and chairman Andy Heyward wrote about the deal in the following statement:
“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.”
Though Lee's MCU cameos were one of audiences' favorite parts of the long-running franchise, the possibility of the late comic book creator's return via CGI and old footage is sure to be met with a divided response from fans. Disney previously tried a similar tactic with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to include Carrie Fisher and Peter Cushing's Leia and Grand Moff Tarkin for their stories. Both were met with very mixed-to-negative responses from critics and fans alike, with the CGI described as delivering an uncanny valley effect and the ethics of reviving late actors for films being called into question.
Despite the controversy, some filmmakers have continued this trend into other projects, including a Vietnam War film being developed with James Dean starring via CGI. That being said, though the new deal between Marvel and Stan Lee's Universe opens the possibility for Stan Lee's Marvel Cinematic Universe cameos to return, it should be noted that sources close to the situation have stated that neither Marvel nor Disney have begun planning such cameos as of yet, making it just as possible that the studios will listen to fans on whether they want such a thing. Until the decision is made, audiences can at least look forward to Lee's beloved face making its way to Disney theme parks in the future.
Source: THR
