AI Stan Lee Hologram Leaves Fans Feeling Uneasy: “Whoever Approved This Needs to Be Fired”

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Fans at L.A. Comic Con were able to experience a new AI recreation of Stan Lee, the famous Marvel creator who died in 2018.

The Stan Lee Experience launched last Friday, offering visitors a unique chance to interact with an AI hologram of the legendary creator. The 1,500-square-foot exhibit allowed people to ask Lee questions and receive real-time responses.

I saw some videos from the exhibit, and it was amazing! People were asking really thoughtful questions, like how the ‘X-Men’ stories connect to the civil rights movement, and who would be the one superhero they’d want to save the world right now. And get this – the hologram actually *answered* them, and even greeted people by name! It felt so personal and engaging.

For many years, I loved creating the exciting stories of heroes and villains that Marvel is known for,” said the AI version of Stan Lee. “But the true heroes were always you, the fans, who brought those stories to life with your enthusiasm. The world can be a bit crazy sometimes, but as long as we continue to share stories and use our imaginations, there will always be room for hope, kindness, and bravery. Thank you for keeping the spirit of these stories alive. Excelsior!”

First look at the AI Stan Lee Hologram at LA Comic Con

— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) September 27, 2025

When asked about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the hologram expressed excitement about its success. It praised the way the MCU has brought Marvel characters to life, attracting a new generation of fans. The hologram highlighted the films’ ability to remain faithful to the original comics while also being innovative and pushing the boundaries of the superhero genre. It expressed pride in the MCU’s cultural impact and anticipation for its future.

A.I. Stan Lee shares his thoughts on the current state of the MCU.

— MCU Film News (@MCUFilmNews) October 7, 2025

Despite the excitement, many fans were disturbed by the AI hologram. Some thought it wasn’t done well, with one person calling it “so weird.” Others expressed sadness, and many felt it was disrespectful to continue showcasing the deceased performer, asking that he be allowed to rest in peace.

One fan described the event as “incredibly soulless and awful,” and another said whoever authorized it should be let go.

Bob Sabouni, who leads Stan Lee Legacy Programs at Kartoon Studios and previously worked at Marvel, explained that the project’s purpose is to celebrate and remember Stan Lee’s life and work.

As a longtime observer of the comics world, it was always clear Stan Lee thrived on connecting with his fans. He genuinely loved those interactions – the handshakes, the stories, being *at* Comic Cons, really being *with* the people who loved his creations. According to Sabouni, that connection was paramount to Stan, and this new experience feels like a natural extension of that. It’s a way for fans to still feel his energy, honor what he built, and keep the conversation going – a conversation he started decades ago.

He explained that they are dedicated to preserving the authenticity of Stan’s voice. They will only have him say things that align with his lifelong views, and thankfully, they have plenty of footage to ensure his voice remains true to his spirit, the context of his words, and his original intentions—even if it’s not always a direct quote.

Okay, so I just saw this Stan Lee hologram, and it’s honestly pretty mind-blowing. It’s not just a recording; it’s an AI avatar built by Hyperreal and Proto Hologram, and thankfully, it got the thumbs-up from the Stan Lee Universe folks. Apparently, they trained a huge language model on everything Stan Lee *ever* said – his writings, interviews, everything – and it lets the hologram respond to questions in a way that feels incredibly realistic. It’s like talking to the man himself, which is… well, it’s something else.

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2025-10-07 14:44