- Stan Lee, the mastermind behind iconic superheroes like Spider-Man and Black Panther, is the subject of a new documentary. “Stan Lee: The Final Chapter” reveals the struggles and exploitation he faced in his final years.
- Jon Bolerjack, Lee’s assistant, documented hundreds of hours of conversations and interviews, providing a personal look into Lee’s later years.
- The documentary’s Kickstarter campaign aims to raise $300,000 to complete the film.
Full Story
Stan Lee, the mastermind behind some of the most iconic superheroes, including Spider-Man, the X-Men and Black Panther, is now the subject of a new documentary. “Stan Lee: The Final Chapter” claims to expose the struggles and exploitation he faced in his final years.
A personal look at Stan Lee’s final years
Jon Bolerjack, who worked as Lee’s assistant, documented hundreds of hours of candid conversations and interviews. He traveled the world with the Marvel legend and captured behind-the-scenes moments from his later years.
“For the last four years of Stan Lee’s life, I was his assistant, his confidant, but most importantly—his friend,” Bolerjack said in the film’s trailer.
Bolerjack claims that during those years, he witnessed troubling situations where people allegedly manipulated and took advantage of Lee.
The documentary’s funding campaign
Along with the trailer, Bolerjack launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the completion of “Stan Lee: The Final Chapter.” The campaign aims to raise $300,000.
As of Wednesday, March 12, it has collected nearly $40,000 from over 200 backers. According to the Kickstarter page, the funds will be used to pay crew members who previously volunteered their time, cover equipment rental, editing, and other production costs.
Speculation about exploitation isn’t new
Concerns about Lee’s treatment in his final years have been widely discussed. In 2018, The Hollywood Reporter published a piece titled “Stan Lee’s Final Year Marked by Chaos and Betrayal.” The report detailed how his life changed after the passing of his wife, Joanie, in 2017.
For decades, Joanie had handled much of his business affairs, including his finances and public appearances. After her death, Lee became increasingly reliant on his inner circle, which some reports suggest led to financial and personal exploitation.
A similar 2018 report from AARP questioned whether Lee’s final year was marked by caregiving or elder abuse. The publication referenced a viral video showing Lee struggling to sign comic books while someone repeatedly spelled out his name for him.
Lawsuits and legal battles
In his final years, Lee was involved in multiple legal battles. He sued his own company, POW! Entertainment, alleging that executives stole his name and likeness. He also faced allegations of elder abuse from close associates.
Additionally, Lee was caught in legal disputes over the ownership of his iconic Marvel characters. Some lawsuits were dropped, but others painted a troubling picture of his declining control over his personal and professional affairs.
Bolerjack admits he broke a fundamental rule of documentary filmmaking: becoming too close to his subject. However, The Hollywood Reporter stated that Lee gave his blessing for the project before his passing in 2018.