Disney Inks Deal with Spider-Man Creator Stan Lee

BURBANK, June 7: The Walt
Disney Studios has signed an exclusive multi-year, first-look deal with Spider-Man creator and producer Stan Lee and his production
company POW! Entertainment.

Lee
and his production company will develop and produce all forms of entertainment.

“As
the father of such renowned comic book heroes as Spider-Man, The Hulk, X-Men among others,
Stan is considered one of the most creative and inventive forces in the
industry today,” said Dick Cook, the chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “His
innate talent of tapping into the human qualities of his super hero characters
has certainly struck a chord with generations of audiences and readers around
the world. We are honored to be working with someone as formidable as Stan and
his production company and welcome them to the Disney family.”

“It's
like the realization of a dream,” said Lee, the chairman of POW! Entertainment.
“Ever since I was a young boy, Disney represented the best and most exciting
film fare to me. And now, many decades later, with movies such as their
incredible Pirates of the Caribbean
spectaculars, Disney is still at the forefront of family entertainment,
excelling in live action, animation, TV, theme parks—whatever it takes to
bring fun and fantasy to audiences everywhere. I look forward with
indescribable enthusiasm to being a part of that world and contributing
whatever I can to keep the legend alive and growing.”

Oren
Aviv, the president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, added:
“Stan Lee is a living legend in the world of pop culture and his characters and
stories have been the inspiration for some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters.
We're very excited to be working with him and his talented team in creating
some incredible new motion picture experiences. Stan has so many fantastic new
ideas for films, and we can't wait to get started.”

“Stan
is not only loved by fans of the genre, but is one of the most respected and
admired figures in the entertainment industry,” said Bob Chapek, the president
of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, who was instrumental in bringing
this deal to Disney and will work closely with Lee on many of his projects. “In
fact, it's hard to think of another individual who has created as many
memorable and appealing characters. We're thrilled that Stan has decided to
make Disney his new home, and feel very fortunate to be collaborating with him
on a wide range of new projects for all divisions of our company. His track record
is impressive by any measure, and Home Entertainment is sure to benefit from
his creations.”

Gill
Champion, POW! Entertainment’s COO said, “There can be no better opportunity to
perpetuate the Stan Lee/Pow! brand for all media than to be associated with the
Disney Studio. No one better understands the incalculable value and importance
of Developing, Producing, Distributing and Marketing new global franchises. We
are incredibly impressed with the professionalism and valuable input from the
executive and creative talent whom we now so eagerly join.”