AI Stan Lee Hologram Leaves Fans Feeling Uneasy: “Whoever Approved This Needs to Be Fired”
At L.A. Comic Con, fans got a chance to interact with a new AI version of the late Stan Lee, even though the Marvel legend passed away in 2018.
The event, called the Stan Lee Experience, opened last Friday and featured a 1,500-square-foot booth where attendees could ask an AI-powered hologram of Lee questions in real time.
Videos shared from the exhibit show fans asking things like, “What do you think about the ‘X-Men’ legacy being so tied to the civil rights movement?” and “If you could pick one superhero to save the world today, who would that be?” The hologram answered each question and even greeted fans by name.
“For decades I had the thrill of spinning yarns about heroes and villains in that mighty Marvel manner,” the AI Stan Lee said. “But the real heroes have always been you, the fans, whose excitement kept those stories alive. The world may be a little nutty now and then, but as long as we share our stories and imaginations, there will always be room for hope, heart and heroism. Thank you for keeping the dream alive. Excelsior!”
First look at the AI Stan Lee Hologram at LA Comic Con pic.twitter.com/5irX7DC556
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) September 27, 2025
When asked about the current state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the hologram responded: “I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on the state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I think it’s fantastic to see how the MCU has brought Marvel characters to life in such an amazing way, introducing a whole new generation of fans to our stories. The films have done an incredible job of staying true to the spirit of the comics while also innovating and pushing the boundaries of superhero storytelling. I’m proud of how the MCU became a cultural phenomenon, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
A.I. Stan Lee shares his thoughts on the current state of the MCU. pic.twitter.com/GHSEiu9MDt
— MCU Film News (@MCUFilmNews) October 7, 2025
However, many fans found the AI hologram unsettling. Some felt it was poorly executed, with one comment saying, “This is so weird man.” Others added, “It’s just sad,” and, “Just let the man rest, man, he’s dead, stop parading him around.”
Another fan called the experience “incredibly soulless and scummy,” while someone else wrote, “Whoever approved this needs to be fired.”
In defense of the project, Bob Sabouni, head of Stan Lee Legacy Programs for Kartoon Studios and a former Marvel executive, told reporters that the goal was to honor Lee’s legacy.
“Stan’s greatest joy was being with the fans, shaking hands, sharing stories and showing up at Comic Cons. From his legendary Soapbox columns to his countless live appearances, Stan loved speaking directly to fans. This experience is a living extension of his voice and spirit, giving fans new ways to feel his presence, celebrate his legacy, and continue the conversation he began so many years ago,” Sabouni said.
He added, “We are also committed to protecting the integrity of Stan’s voice. We’ll never put words in his mouth that aren’t in line with things he spoke about in his lifetime. Fortunately, with decades of footage capturing his thoughts on so many subjects, we can build a voice that stays true, not always word for word, but always faithful in spirit, context and intent.”
The technology behind the hologram was created through a partnership between Hyperreal and Proto Hologram and was approved by Stan Lee Universe. Hyperreal explained that the hologram functions as an AI avatar, using a large language model trained on Lee’s writings, interviews, and speeches to create realistic responses.
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