A new documentary about Marvel legend Stan Lee will explore the troubling claims of “mistreatment, manipulation, and betrayal” that allegedly marked the final years of his life.
Lee, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 95, is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the world of comic books, having co-created iconic characters such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, The X-Men, and The Hulk.
Stan Lee: The Final Chapter seeks to shed light on the less joyful aspects of his later years. Despite struggling with declining health, Lee continued to participate in autograph signings and photo opportunities, highlighting the complexities of his final experiences.
Directed by Jon Bolerjack, who was an assistant to Lee during the last four years of his life, the documentary claims to have footage revealing the exploitation of Lee’s image and legacy.
Bolerjack, who secretly filmed much of the events surrounding Lee during this time, unveiled the project via a Kickstarter campaign, aiming to raise over £230,000 to complete the documentary. The campaign has already raised £26,000 in donations.
In the synopsis for the film, Bolerjack describes how he was given unprecedented access to Lee’s inner circle, witnessing firsthand the exploitation of Lee’s signature and memorabilia.
He claims to have uncovered a thriving market where Lee’s autographs were transformed into cash, with rival individuals trying to manipulate Lee’s fortune.
The documentary, Bolerjack says, will expose those who wronged Lee in his final years, a story he believes needs to be told despite the risks involved.
“I face potential threats to my personal safety, frivolous lawsuits meant to silence me, and other efforts to suppress this film,” Bolerjack said. “But despite these challenges, I am committed to ensuring Stan’s true story is told.”
The trailer for the documentary includes footage of a frail Lee being transported between comic book conventions despite his poor health, as well as interviews with key figures from the comic book world, including Mark Waid, Rob Liefeld, and Roy Thomas.
These interviews promise to offer new insights into the pressures and controversies surrounding Lee during his later years.
During an interview, Bolerjack revealed that, when he was around, he argued that the older icon deserved additional breaks and TLC. “I discussed this at great length with him, even in the later part of his life,” said Bolerjack. “A lot of things have happened to him, but I didn’t get the real sense that he felt shame about it. I think he wanted it out there to be that sort of warning.”
Lee, best known for his groundbreaking work in comics, had also become a pop culture icon through his cameos in Marvel films and television shows.
His final cameo appeared in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, which was released just a few months after his death. Despite his popularity and the admiration of fans worldwide, Lee’s later years were marked by claims of exploitation, and this documentary seeks to explore the truth behind those claims.
As the Kickstarter campaign continues to gain support, Stan Lee: The Final Chapter promises to be a revealing and emotional look at the life of one of the most beloved figures in modern pop culture.
Bolerjack, driven by his desire to uncover the full story, hopes the documentary will not only honor Lee’s legacy but also serve as a warning about the exploitation of aging icons.