The life story of Stan Lee is a pretty interesting subject and one that would be worthy of the biopic treatment, especially if handled in an even-handed fashion (which biopics sadly, rarely are).
Today it’s been announced that such a film is being made, but not quite in a way that anyone would expect. Forget about the collapse of Timely, and the marketing master-stroke that was the Marvel bullpen. Instead, Smilin’ Stan is being pitched as a 70’s action hero.
This new project, being developed by Fox and produced by Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, the producers behind Twilight and the upcoming Power Rangers reboot, are aiming to fictionalize Lee’s life in the vein of Kingsman: The Secret Service and the Roger Moore James Bond films, with a quippy vibe and an alter-ego for “Stan the Man”. In the real-life 70’s, Lee was busy making a big play for Hollywood. One assumes that’ll be the jumping off point for this adventure.
There’s no writer attached as of yet, so this idea could vanish as quickly as it came. But on it’s face, this is a…questionable proposal…to be kind.
You know whose life was actually exciting and ripe for action-adventure story-telling? Jack Kirby! He was in a street gang! He fought in World War II! He was involved in “The Canadian Caper”! And that doesn’t even count his monumental contributions to the form.
I guess that’s why I’m not a Hollywood producer…
I can’t help it, but when I think of a 1970’s style Stan Lee, the image that appears in my mind is of something of a pimp. Make of it what you will… ‘Nuff said.
His autobiographies are already so fictionalized, a biopic that admits up front that it’s fiction is definitely the way to go.
I hope they put in all of his illegal things Stan has done. I have been investigating Stan Lee for several years and I have been reading over some declarations and it is interesting that Stan Lee admitted in his declaration that it was actually Steve Ditko who created and drew Spider-Man and not him.
George Clooney already made this movie with The Gong Show’s host. Hollywood loves a good formula….
It’s a reboot: http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Stan_Lee's_Toupee
“With great power comes the ability to rip off Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko.”
It’s better than the original Fox pitch for the Stan Lee biopic which was a bad and boring account of the creation of the Fantastic Four…
If Stan Lee were a pimp (and I realize that’s not precisely what Remco said)–
Then everyone in the industry since 1961 would be his johns.
Except the women, because I think female johns are called something else; just can’t remember what.
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