Bizarre AI Hologram of Stan Lee Speaks Out on the MCU’s Current State & Fans Are Freaked Out: “Whoever Approved This Needs to Be Fired”
This is the saddest thing you will see today.
Fans at L.A. Comic Con got an unusual experience this year: they were able to interact with Stan Lee, sort of, well, not exactly, or at all, but big tech would like you to feel that way.
The legendary Marvel creator, who passed away in 2018, appeared as an AI-powered hologram at the event’s new Stan Lee Experience.
The exhibit, which spans 1,500 square feet in Aisle 200, features a real-time AI avatar that answers questions from fans.
In videos shared from the booth, attendees asked questions 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 responded to each question while addressing fans by name. “For decades I had the thrill of spinning yarns about heroes and villains in that mighty Marvel manner,” the AI 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 AI replied: “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
Well, in true AI fashion, it seems the hologram is completely off when it comes to answering questions. It’s kind of creepy and shows how little effort the creators put into making the hologram, considering that AI Stan Lee responds as if he were still alive and sentient.
You could say it’s part of the immersive experience, but it really just feels like this screen is running on the free version of ChatGPT.
This is so weird man,” one fan wrote online, while another said, “Just let the man rest, he’s dead. Stop parading him around.” Other reactions called the experience “soulless” and “scummy.”
Bob Sabouni, head of Stan Lee Legacy Programs for Kartoon Studios and a former Marvel executive, defended the project. “At Stan Lee Universe, our mission is to carry on Stan’s legacy. Everything we do is guided by a simple filter: would Stan be proud of what we created today?” he said.
“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 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 comes from a partnership with Hyperreal and Proto Hologram, and was approved by Stan Lee Universe.
According to Hyperreal, the hologram uses a large language model and draws from Lee’s writings, interviews, and speeches. The goal was to create a presence that feels real, even if it’s AI-driven. Well, they failed, at least in my opinion.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
