How could the #1 film of the summer result in no "profits?" http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20021112/D7N8NRS81.html NEW YORK (AP) - The creative force behind Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk and Daredevil filed a $10 million lawsuit Tuesday, charging his old comic book company is cheating him out of millions of dollars in movie profits. Stan Lee, who crafted a menagerie of superpowered heroes with very human flaws, now claims Marvel Entertainment Inc. has tried to shut him out of the "jackpot" success of this summer's "Spider-Man" movie. Lee's attorneys filed court papers in Manhattan federal court, claiming that Marvel signed a deal to give their client 10 percent of any profits from his characters used in films and television shows. "Spider-Man" has been the year's biggest hit, grossing more than $400 million domestically - but the 80-year-old Lee says he hasn't seen a penny. "Despite reaping enormous benefits from Mr. Lee's creations, defendants have failed and refused to honor their commitments to him," the lawsuit charges. Marvel has reported millions of dollars in earnings from the film but has told Lee the company has seen no "profits" as defined by their contract. Lee hopes a judge will intervene and make sure he gets a percentage of profits from the Ben Affleck movie "Daredevil," scheduled for release in February. He also seeks a share of profits from the upcoming movie "The Hulk," and the sequels to "X-Men" and "Spider-Man." The lawsuit demands damages and a court order forcing Marvel to turn over Lee's share in any profits from movies about characters he created. Marvel issued a statement saying Lee "continues to be well-compensated" for his contributions to the industry. It said the company is "in full compliance with, and current on all payments due under, terms of Mr. Lee's employment agreement." "Spider-Man" stars Tobey Maguire as the teenage superhero, Willem Dafoe as the villainous Green Goblin and Kirsten Dunst as love interest Mary Jane Watson. A sequel is due out in 2004.
This is sad. How are they going to cheat Stan "the man" out of his money? None of these movies would exist if it weren't for him, he is definately entitled to a large cut of the profits.
This is sad. How are they going to cheat Stan "the man" out of his money? None of these movies would exist if it weren't for him, he is definately entitled to a large cut of the profits.
Whoa, shocking... I thought that since The Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster(creators of Superman) debacle back in the day, creators were getting better treatment. Excelsior, Stan!
Is it true that Stan Lee took credit for every character Marvel created, regardless of how much effort he put into development? Didn't Todd McFarlane leave Marvel because of that?
I don't know about taking credit for every character, but he generally gets more credit than his collaborators Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko for Spider-Man, Dr. Strange, Hulk, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. McFarlane and the rest of the Image gang left Marvel because they could get more money publishing their own comics(starring their own creations) than selling their creations to Marvel. They figured that since their names alone were selling books, then why not capitalize and go to a place where they could reap 100% of the profit? Another perk to being an Image creator is the absence of deadlines- books can ship years after they're scheduled.
wow. That's just wrong. I think a judge will see right through this even if the legal language is not in favor of Lee. Sounds like somebody is getting screwed royally. If I were Toby Maguire, I'd refuse to work until he gets paid his fair share.
When I was young, aside from the comic characters, Stan Lee was the only nave that I associated with Marvel. I have Marvel superhero plastic cups from the early 70's that 7-11 was giving out with Slurpees, and Stan "the Man" Lee is the ONLY non-character that was on the cups. I'm not sure how much he had to do with the creation of said Spiderman, X-men, and FF, but to this date, Stan is still the only name I can think of when thinking of marvel.
Same with DC. Shuster & Siegel are the only names associated with Superman, while Bob Kane is the only name associated with Batman to the general public despite the numerous all-star creators who worked with, fleshed out, and gave those characters new ones to interract with. Lee created the backyard that is the Marvel Universe, hence his getting the "Stan Lee Presents" tagline at the beginning of every comic. He didn't have a direct hand in the creation of EVERY character, but they are all decendants in a manner of speaking, of the ones he did as they play off of them. Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, John Romita, Chris Claremont, John Byrne, Frank Miller, Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, and dozens of others are all huge names in fandom, while they may not have their names on cups, anyone who follows the industry knows their contributions.
I guess I am too, because I recognized every name in your last post. I could probably add a few names as well (Neal Adams, Alan Moore, Dick Giordano, Bernie Wrightson) even though I haven't collected comics in over 12 years.
If I were Toby Maguire, I wouldn't give a rat's *ss about some weirdo comic-book guy squabble and would just concentrate on getting into Kirsten Dunst's pants again.
