Stan Lee: games trump movies

by James Ransom-Wiley { Jan 19th 2007 at 5:55PM }

As significant as Hollywood has been in reviving the Marvel brand, Stan Lee believes video games can have an even bigger impact on the growth of the comic book label. "Video games are more exciting, more colorful and more complex than motion pictures," says Lee, ""In a movie, you just sit and watch. [In a game] you're not only seeing the story but you're participating in the story."

Despite Lee's enthusiasm for the games medium, he admits he doesn't have the time or the skill to play video games. Lee is certainly not alone, which explains why Marvel movies have grossed billions of dollars, while the games have managed only hundreds of millions in sales (hardly insignificant, but nonetheless paled by the film industry's results). Still, Lee remains optimistic about the future dominance of Marvel games, hoping to become more involved with game makers' efforts by contributing to the content and narration of future titles.

Tags: Hulk, Marvel, Spider-Man, Stan Lee, StanLee, X-Men

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

geves @ Jan 19th 2007 6:23PM

BOOM! take that roger ebert, you overpaid bottomfeeder.

stan lee, is the man.

DAVE @ Jan 19th 2007 6:32PM

I just hope he lives long enough. Considering he's 85 years old, he doesn't have very long to live. This man is a hero to many people, including me.

Avinash_Tyagi @ Jan 19th 2007 6:46PM

His best work was on the Simpsons IMO

"He's not the Hulk, I'm the Hulk!"

Gavin @ Jan 19th 2007 7:07PM

The man is no hero. He screwed over Jack Kirby and claimed to have done the work that numerous others were actually responsible for. He is an important figure in the history of comics, but he is far from being a hero.

mandarin @ Jan 19th 2007 7:14PM

I hate seeing him in Marvel movies... Good thing he wasnt in Blade though..

DAVE @ Jan 19th 2007 8:13PM

"The man is no hero. He screwed over Jack Kirby and claimed to have done the work that numerous others were actually responsible for. He is an important figure in the history of comics, but he is far from being a hero."

That's the way the world works. The sooner you learn that, the farther you get in life. Me and many other people look to him as a hero, and your opinions won't change my mind.

NintendoFanbot @ Jan 19th 2007 8:14PM

Oh please, the man couldn't even turn into Bill Bixby.

Though I did enjoy X-Men, Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, the Avengers (as a team and as individual members), Captain America, etc..

To be honest I like more of the writing that was going in his day. A couple years ago I bought a ton of comic books on CD, and I liked the older stories than the ones they're pushing today.

As far as games go, COMMERCIALLY they do better then movies, but SUBSTANCIALLY not really, but I really don't care. Games are their own art that shouldn't be compared to others, though they will always, inevitably.

Zegim @ Jan 19th 2007 9:00PM

Yes! I want to play as Spider-Man, swinging my arms wildly using a Wii-mote and stuff.

iocomposer @ Jan 19th 2007 9:44PM

Oh really Mr. Lee? What a revalation, you genius.

It's funny to watch these old relics wake up to the realization that the game industry is the reason why their shit ain't workin out.

epobirs @ Jan 19th 2007 11:21PM

If you consider the ROI (return on investment) the Marvel Comics based games have done far better than the films to date. Not many major hits but these tend to be some very costly movies.

GhaleonQ @ Jan 20th 2007 12:29AM

*backhands geves*

"The man is no hero. He screwed over Jack Kirby and claimed to have done the work that numerous others were actually responsible for. He is an important figure in the history of comics, but he is far from being a hero."

Thank you.

GhaleonQ @ Jan 20th 2007 12:29AM

Strike Man @ Jan 20th 2007 1:44AM

"As far as games go, COMMERCIALLY they do better then movies, but SUBSTANCIALLY not really, but I really don't care."

Ehh?

In 2005, 19 movies grossed $100 million or more from US box office receipts (ranging from 40 Year Old Virgin at $109m to Revenge Of The Sith at $423m).

In 2006, there were 18 (from The Breakup at $118m to Pirates to at $423m).

That doesn't count merchandising, licensing, foreign box office, DVD rentals, DVD sales, etc. In other words, each and every one of those movies raked in a lot more money than that.

How many games grossed $100 million last year? $200 million? $400 million?

NintendoFanbot @ Jan 20th 2007 4:18AM

@ 13

Yeah, the other point I forgot to mention was when people compare the videogame industry to movies they only compare it to theater sales. There's no way that games can do better than all of movies. DVDs and licensing are how movies make most of their money now.

That's why I said I didn't care for comparison. To do so would only be overzealous on the part of videogames.

iocomposer @ Jan 20th 2007 2:22PM

Ok, well let's look at it from another point of view:

Gears of War has now sold $3M copies at $60 each. $180M. Not too shabbly. But then, it is estimated that the game motivated the sale of about 1M Xbox360s @ about $400 each. That's 400m. Now let's add on all of the peripherals to that figure...now let's add on the HDTVs that were motivated by the shift to HD gaming...now let's add on the surround sound systems....etc. At any rate....I wouldn't be surprised if Gears motivated the movement of a billion dollars so far.

And then there's Zelda and the Wii.

Ask any filmmaker where their audience is going.....it's not rocket science fellas.

stick_man @ Jan 22nd 2007 12:00PM

And this is news to who? There has never been a good Marvel comics movie, period. At least we have Wolverine for NES, still crap but certainly better than any Marvel movie.... EVER.

Quick! Alert the internet!!!! If Stan Lee would only licence his IPs, to A-N-I-M-A-T-I-O-N studios, maybe they would make more money... Whats that... An Animated movie based on a comic book???!! What??? A Movie That's animated and looks like Jim Lee drew every God Damn Frame!!!??? But, but, but then how will Huge Jassman Play Wolverine!!??? Here's a hint ... He won't cause the movie won't suck goat balls from the get go.