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THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE — Comic book writer, editor, publisher and Hollywood executive Stan Lee died Monday at the age of 95.
The man revolutionized the comic book world in the 1960s by creating or assisting in creating superheroes such as Iron Man, Spider-Man, Thor and the X-Men. Not only did Lee change the comics world in the 60s, but he is also to thank for the pop culture landscape of today.
Marvel heroes are now a part of world history as their movies make billions of dollars worldwide and have changed Hollywood.
Lee acted as a producer on all of Marvel’s films and became known for his cameos in these blockbusters. While Lee has made small appearances in over 30 films, not all of them have been great, but some have been the highlight of the film.
In remembrance of the father of modern superheroes, here's a look at Lee’s best cameos. Some very minor spoilers are ahead.
“Doctor Strange”
In 2016 we got Marvel’s trippiest movie in the form of “Doctor Strange.” The film stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Steven Strange and tells a story involving wizards, mirror dimensions and a magical cloak that acted as comic relief.
The film was a fun deviation from some of Marvel’s formula and included one of Lee’s best cameos.
At one point, Doctor Strange is battling the bad guys in the mirror realm where wizards can distort both time and space without affecting the real world.
Strange and his battle partner, Mordo, are trying to escape the mirror realm, but villain Kaecilius messes with gravity, and Strange and Mordo fall onto a bus. They smash into a window and see Stan Lee sitting there reading a book completely oblivious to the chaos occurring around him.
The cameo gives us a good chuckle and acts as a nice distraction in the middle of an action scene.
Comic book genius Stan Lee, Spider-Man creator, dies at 95
Stan Lee, the creative dynamo who revolutionized the comic book and helped make billions for Hollywood died Monday.“Captain America: Civil War”
“Captain America: Civil War” ends on a very serious note. It all culminates in a big fight between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers and the eventual break-up of the Avengers.
As the movie wraps up, Rogers sends Stark a heartfelt letter and a phone to reach him if he needs help, but the way he gets the package is the best part.
The Fed Ex courier is none other than Lee and his mispronunciation of Stark’s name is pure gold and gives the very serious scene a much needed shot in the arm of humor.
“Thor: Ragnarok”
“Thor: Ragnarok” may be my favorite Marvel movie and it also has one of Lee’s better cameos.
Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster has captured Thor and the God of Thunder has been strapped to a chair in preparation of chopping off his luscious locks. The device being used to do the deed is an awful looking contraption wielded by a very unsteady Lee. Thor’s reaction really sells the cameo, but it’s a great moment in an already great movie.
“The Amazing Spider-Man”
“The Amazing Spider-Man” is my second favorite Spider-Man movie and also has my personal favorite Lee cameo.
Spider-Man is battling the lizard in his high school and they end up in a room where Lee is putting away some books listening to music through some noise-canceling headphones. Lee is totally oblivious to everything going on behind him and it is hilarious. I remember laughing out loud in the theater, and it still makes me smile today.
“Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2”
While Lee’s cameo in “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2” isn’t necessarily his funniest, it is one of the most revealing and satisfying.
As characters bounce around space they end up in a spot where Lee is in a space suit chatting up some beings known as the Watchers. The purpose of the Watchers is to watch over the multiverse of Marvel. Lee tells the Watchers, “At that time I was a Federal Express man,” referring to his cameo in “Civil War.”
This cameo is important because it suggests that Lee’s character is actually a Watcher and he is the same person in all of his cameos watching over the Marvel universe. Considering he is the father of these characters it would make perfect sense.
What are you favorite Lee cameos? Let us know in the comments.
“Captain America: Civil War”
“Captain America: Civil War” ends on a very serious note. It all culminates in a big fight between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers and the eventual break-up of the Avengers.
As the movie wraps up, Rogers sends Stark a heartfelt letter and a phone to reach him if he needs help, but the way he gets the package is the best part.
The Fed Ex courier is none other than Lee and his mispronunciation of Stark’s name is pure gold and gives the very serious scene a much needed shot in the arm of humor.
“Thor: Ragnarok”
“Thor: Ragnarok” may be my favorite Marvel movie and it also has one of Lee’s better cameos.
Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster has captured Thor and the God of Thunder has been strapped to a chair in preparation of chopping off his luscious locks. The device being used to do the deed is an awful looking contraption wielded by a very unsteady Lee. Thor’s reaction really sells the cameo, but it’s a great moment in an already great movie.
“The Amazing Spider-Man”
“The Amazing Spider-Man” is my second favorite Spider-Man movie and also has my personal favorite Lee cameo.
Spider-Man is battling the lizard in his high school and they end up in a room where Lee is putting away some books listening to music through some noise-canceling headphones. Lee is totally oblivious to everything going on behind him and it is hilarious. I remember laughing out loud in the theater, and it still makes me smile today.
“Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2”
While Lee’s cameo in “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2” isn’t necessarily his funniest, it is one of the most revealing and satisfying.
As characters bounce around space they end up in a spot where Lee is in a space suit chatting up some beings known as the Watchers. The purpose of the Watchers is to watch over the multiverse of Marvel. Lee tells the Watchers, “At that time I was a Federal Express man,” referring to his cameo in “Civil War.”
This cameo is important because it suggests that Lee’s character is actually a Watcher and he is the same person in all of his cameos watching over the Marvel universe. Considering he is the father of these characters it would make perfect sense.
What are you favorite Lee cameos? Let us know in the comments.
