Marvel Studios Lands Licensing Deal for Stan Lee’s Likeness

Ever since Marvel Legend Stan Lee died back in 2018, the Marvel films have felt like they’ve been missing something. Now it looks like Disney and Marvel Studios have struck a deal that could keep Stan Lee in their films in perpetuity.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio has nabbed a 20-year deal with Stan Lee Universe (a venture between Genius Brands International and POW! Entertainment) that will allow them to use the likeness of Lee for future films, television productions, and various other merchandising and ‘experiences’ (including theme parks).

This ‘broad deal’ will allow the use of digital technology, archival footage to bring Lee back to life in whatever avenue Marvel chooses. Chairman and CEO of Genius Brands, Andy Heyward says this about the deal:

“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.”

Already fans are wondering what this license implies in the future. There has been discussion about bringing actors back from the dead digitally thanks to Star Wars, and we know that Lee’s death was surrounded by a lot of controversy regarding Lee’s family and elder abuse.

For now, it’s still unclear if Marvel wants to put Lee back in the films, but I’m sure they’ll be able to use him, his signature, and his voice for merchandising deals.

I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.