• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

2

Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 

3

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises

1

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

2

Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 

3

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises

Stan Lee wants his superheroes to take over the world

By
John Gaudiosi
John Gaudiosi
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
John Gaudiosi
John Gaudiosi
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 3, 2014, 10:00 AM ET

FORTUNE — Stan Lee won’t comment on whether he was ever bitten by a radioactive spider or if he experienced an overdose of gamma radiation, but at 91 the former publisher of Marvel Comics is busier than ever. Lee recently made a cameo in the ABC TV series, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

“The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. role was almost a starring vehicle for me, I think I was on screen for almost a full minute,” quipped Lee. “It was fun.”

Lee admitted that the Marvel TV series didn’t get off to the fast start that he thought it would, but he believes it’s starting to build “beautifully because they’re starting to get more fantasy into it.” He hopes to see the ratings go up, and not just because of his little performance.

MORE: World’s Most Admired pitchmen

The co-creator of superheroes such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, X-Men, the Hulk, and the Fantastic Four is keeping his acting resume full. Lee has a cameo in the Disney Blu-ray and DVD release of Thor: The Dark World (out now) and will be seen on the big screen this year in Disney and Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier (out April 4) and Sony Pictures’ The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (out May 2). He’ll be making a cameo in the new Marvel Daredevil TV series from Netflix (NFLX), as well as new superhero movies. He’d love to have a cameo in “everything,” although he won’t be appearing in Fox’s X-Men: Days of Future Past or Disney’s Guardians of the Galaxy this year.

With new Marvel big screen adaptations being greenlit regularly by Disney (DIS), it’s hard to find a superhero who’s not getting a movie franchise. But Lee wants every one of his comic book characters to get their own film.

“I think everything we’ve ever done would make a good movie, but of course I’m prejudiced,” he says.

Lee, who starred as himself in Activision’s (ATVI) The Amazing Spider-Man video game last summer, has embraced games and technology, including motion comics and digital comics.

“When you think about it, it’s as though entertainment is becoming more and more personal,” said Lee. “The person being entertained, the viewer or the customer or whatever you want to call him or her, is becoming more and more involved in the story.”

Since 2004, Lee and partner Gill Champion have been working on brand new superheroes for film, TV, comics, video games, digital, and even musicals through Pow Entertainment. The company, which went public in 2006, even has its own fall expo with Stan Lee’s Comikaze at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

MORE: Fortune investigates: A new beer called Fortune

Champion said that the success of the Los Angeles show, along with Stan’s brand, has provided a catalyst to bring the convention to other U.S. cities, as well as to international cities in countries like China and India.

“The only thing that’s holding us up is it’s taking me a hell of a long time to learn to speak all those languages,” added Lee.

International territories are a focus for Pow Entertainment. Lee has created new heroes targeted to specific countries and cultures that have massive audiences like China, Latin America, and India. The Annihilator will debut as a $150 million feature film from Pow and Magic Storm Entertainment. The Bourne Legacy screenwriter Dan Gilroy has penned the first draft of the script, which introduces Chinese expatriate Ming (played by Wang Leehom) as a prisoner who enlists in a secret U.S. super-soldier program that uses targeted genetic enhancements from animal species.

Lee launched his first Indian superhero, Chakra: The Invincible,” last fall on India’s Cartoon Network alongside a comic book. The story focuses on 14-year-old Raju Rai in Mumbai, who fights crime using a special suit that unlocks centers of life-force in his body (known as chakras in Hinduism). Champion said the character is being developed for a full-length motion picture with plans to build out an international universe around him, including a U.S. comic book.

And there’s a Latin superhero, whose name is currently being kept under wraps by Lee.

“We’re trying to show no particular prejudice,” said Lee. “We want everybody to share in the wonderment of what Pow Entertainment can do, so we’re also working on a Latin superhero and we’re very excited about that. I’m just writing the outline for the movie now. You’ll hear more about it as time goes by. We want to make sure that every country, every culture, every part of the world is represented. We don’t want anybody to be mad at Pow.”

MORE: Delta takes off

But Lee isn’t ignoring his American fans. The first of three planned animated movies based on Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 premiered this month on the Hub Network. Based on the print and digital comic book series, the premise finds Lee starring as himself in a story that has him mentoring two groups of aliens to become superheroes, while writing a comic book about their exploits. Lee voiced his character in the film, alongside actors like Sean Astin (Kid Kinergy), Mayim Bialik (Lady Lightning), Darren Criss (Micro), Armie Hammer (Strong Arm), Teri Hatcher (Silver Skylark) and Christian Slater (Lazer Lord).

“We have two more animated movies that are going to appear on the Hub Network, and then we hope to eventually have a live-action film, a TV series, and comics,” said Lee. “Whenever we do anything and it’s off to a good start, we always imagine this would make a good movie, a good TV series, there’ll be some great toys and video games coming out of it, merchandizing. The whole trick is to try to make something that would be the next Spider-Man. And that’s a hell of a great goal to shoot for.”

With Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark now officially closed on Broadway, Lee has his sights set on a superhero vs. super-villain rock opera with Yin Yang: The Battle of Tao in Macau, China. The story interweaves mythological Chinese storytelling with an original score and plenty of action.

“I love music,” said Lee, who offered to hum a tune. “Any way we can bring characters to life with music, with action as close to 3-D as possible; makes them seem alive. That’s wonderful. Even the background music in the movies is so important, but to do a Broadway quality show where the music is part of the story, that’s exciting.”

About the Author
By John Gaudiosi
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Four crew members ejected safely after two Navy jets collide and crash during air show in Idaho
North AmericaMilitary
Four crew members ejected safely after two Navy jets collide and crash during air show in Idaho
By The Associated PressMay 17, 2026
1 hour ago
Gundlach says it’s ‘just not possible’ for the Fed to cut rates
EconomyFederal Reserve
Gundlach says it’s ‘just not possible’ for the Fed to cut rates
By Jordan Fitzgerald, Sam Kim and BloombergMay 17, 2026
2 hours ago
Supply shocks weren’t random. They were strategic—and should be seen as ‘supply coercion’ instead, former Fed official says 
Economysupply chains
Supply shocks weren’t random. They were strategic—and should be seen as ‘supply coercion’ instead, former Fed official says 
By Jason MaMay 17, 2026
2 hours ago
U.S. says China to buy $17 billion of agricultural goods annually
EconomyChina
U.S. says China to buy $17 billion of agricultural goods annually
By Yash Roy and BloombergMay 17, 2026
4 hours ago
Taiwan’s president says the U.S. arms sales that Trump called a bargaining chip with China are ‘the most important deterrent’ of regional conflict
AsiaChina
Taiwan’s president says the U.S. arms sales that Trump called a bargaining chip with China are ‘the most important deterrent’ of regional conflict
By The Associated PressMay 17, 2026
4 hours ago
WHO declares latest Ebola outbreak a global health emergency. A rare variant of the disease with no approved treatments is to blame
HealthHealth
WHO declares latest Ebola outbreak a global health emergency. A rare variant of the disease with no approved treatments is to blame
By Chinedu Asadu and The Associated PressMay 17, 2026
4 hours ago

Most Popular

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
AI
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
1 day ago
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
Politics
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
1 day ago
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Politics
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
5 days ago
SpaceX heads into a record-shattering IPO with the 'deepest moat that exists today' as investors vow to 'never bet against Elon'
Innovation
SpaceX heads into a record-shattering IPO with the 'deepest moat that exists today' as investors vow to 'never bet against Elon'
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
1 day ago
Oil markets could be a month away from the moment of truth. Brace for a 'non-linear' price spike and panic buying, analysts warn
Energy
Oil markets could be a month away from the moment of truth. Brace for a 'non-linear' price spike and panic buying, analysts warn
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
1 day ago
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
Future of Work
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.