Spider-Man's creator Stan Lee: 'From Marvel's sale, only six million'

The documentary "Stan Lee: The Final Chapter" reveals the heartbreaking reality of the Spider-Man co-creator's finances, disclosing that Stan Lee received a mere $6 million when Disney acquired Marvel for $4 billion in 2009. This deal launched the most profitable superhero franchise in cinematic history.

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No one made more bad decisions than me in business.

Lee, who co-created iconic characters like Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Captain America, and Iron Man with Jack Kirby in the 1960s, expressed regret over his financial decisions. "No one made more bad decisions than me in business," he laments in the film. His lawyer reportedly persuaded him to accept an upfront lump sum payment rather than a percentage of Marvel's future profits. "He wanted me to take the money right away because he wanted his share. I think he took three, so I ended up with 3 million," Lee recalled, referring to the lawyer's cut.

Directed, edited, and produced by Jon Bolerjack, the documentary is built on hundreds of hours of previously unseen footage captured in the four years leading up to Lee's death in 2018 at age 95. Bolerjack, who transitioned from Lee's driver to personal assistant, felt compelled to document the exploitation Lee endured. "Witnessing the treatment Stan had to endure in those last years, especially at his age, shocked me," Bolerjack stated. "The people around him thought they were untouchable, they squeezed him to get rich."

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He wanted me to take the money right away because he wanted his share. I think he took three, so I ended up with 3 million.

The film aims to capture Lee's enduring sweetness and passion for his creations and fans, while also exposing the pain, abuse, and manipulation that marked his final years. Lee was allegedly taken to conventions and events by a unscrupulous manager to sign merchandise until exhaustion, despite his frailty. Bolerjack sought to expose this situation while Lee was still alive, noting that completing the film took ten years. The soundtrack is by Italian composer Dario Forzato.

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Witnessing the treatment Stan had to endure in those last years, especially at his age, shocked me. The people around him thought they were untouchable, they squeezed him to get rich.