This is a re-print of the interview with Stan from our first year. This is from WAAAAYYYY Back in 1991 when we were still known as the VCU (the Valley Comics Update), and while the information is out of date, I still think what Stan Lee has to say is fun and entertaining to read. I hope you agree.

Stan Lee: on TV

Larry Stanley

For those of you who don't know, Stan Lee is not only the Chairman of the Board of Marvel Comics, but he has for the last few years been Executive Producer of almost all of the Marvel Movie Productions.
We had a chance to talk to Stan last week at a Convention and asked him about some of the rumors we have been hearing.

VCU: First of all, I want to say that this is an honor to get to talk to you.

Stan Lee: Thanks, I am always glad to help.

VCU: I guess the first thing I need to ask is what is the truth behind the stories about Spiderman, Iron Man, Thor and a Hulk movie?

Stan Lee: Well, let me try to give you a run down. On Spiderman, we are trying to decide right now; ABC is interested in a series, and Carolco has expressed interest in doing a motion picture. What we are trying to do now is make a determination as to which direction to go.

VCU: And the Fantastic Four?

Stan Lee: That is being developed by Neieu Constantine, a German company. They are the ones that produced "The Name of the Rose", "Never Ending Story" and "Last Exit to Brooklyn". Berne Eiking, the fellow in charge of Neieu Constantine is a big fan of the F.F. and wants to see it done in the right way. He has wanted to do this for five years, and now he has started. We hope to get Industrial Light and Magic to work on the special effects, so I think it should look pretty good.

Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Darkman) and I are working together on the Might Thor, he wants to write and direct it, but we will probably be writing the script together. Then Alex Cox (Sid and Nancy, Repo-man) has done a script based on a story he and I came up with for Dr. Strange. Alex would like to direct it, and we are talking to people now.

We are developing Iron Man for Universal and the X-Men are also being developed for a live action movie.

There is supposed to be a new sequel to the Hulk movies, called “The Revenge of the Incredible Hulk” but so far it has not been scheduled.

VCU: By the way, everyone I have spoken to has liked your cameo in “Trial of the Incredible Hulk”.

Stan Lee: (Laughing) You caught that huh? It went by so quick; I didn’t think anyone would notice it.

VCU: Let’s talk about something else, if we can. I have heard that Nightcat will be a real character, performing and doing records. When will this start?

Stan Lee: Well, RCA has already released her first album, I believe. We hope to get her on some of the national shows, and MTV as soon as possible.

VCU: Are there any fears or worries that Nightcat will go the way of Dazzler?

Stan Lee: Well, the problem with Dazzler was that it was a failure before it started. The head of Casablanca Records at that time came to me, and talked to me about creating a singe, giving her an identity as a comic star. We came up with the name “Dazzler”, and he was going to promote her on Casablanca Records.

Before we could get all this done, however, the poor guy died before it ever got started. So, the record deal was never done. We were stuck with a character that didn’t bring in to much by herself.

In this case, there is a big push going on, both with RCA and Marvel. Sure, you never know if something will work or not, I think this has a better chance. It really all depends on how Nightcats records sell.

VCU: I have to ask, what happened with the Punisher and Captain America movies?

Stan Lee: (laughing) I was afraid of this. Well, the main problem with the Punisher was that it was nothing more then an exercise in violence. They didn’t even do the costume right. No skull. I asked them why they did that, and was told the Skull made it to much like a comic book”. I told them that was why they did it in the first place. I don’t think it will ever be released in the U.S.

And the same thing with Captain America. No one was really happy with the way it came out. There is no release date, and no distributor, so I think it will probably go right into the video cassette market. Which might help, I can think of a lot of movies that the video market has saved.

VCU: Well, Stan, I think that just about covers everything I had for now. I really want to thank you for your time, and wish you luck on all of the upcoming endeavors.

Stan Lee: Thanks Larry. And good luck to you and the Update.