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If you are an avid fan of MCU movies, you’ll know how the films simply feel incomplete without Stan Lee appearing in his cameo roles. The creator of Marvel showed up in all the live-action movies until his unfortunate demise in 2018. However, there was a brief period, when James Gunn directedGuardians of the Galaxy(2014) was rumored to release without a cameo from Lee, as he didn’t write that particular story.
However, later Stan Lee not only appeared in the 2014 installment but also the 2017 sequelGuardians of the Galaxy Vol 2.Spotting his cameo in the second part fans theorized a connection between Lee and his appearance in the adaptations of Marvel properties. Further, even James Gunn addressed the theory and admitted what prompted him to offer Lee a cameo.
Also read:“We are not really having any discussion”: James Gunn’s Close Friend Shows Concern About Him Firing Henry Cavill and Zack Snyder’s DCEU Actors
Stan Lee’s Cameo In Marvel Adaptations Originated Fan Theories
Since Stan Lee appeared in most MCU movies, he was expected to make an appearance in James Gunn’sGuardians of the Galaxy,in2014. However, since the 2014 film was an adaptation of Marvel properties, which unlike most Marvel stories wasn’t written by Lee, the movie was reported to lack a cameo from The Man himself.
Nonetheless, during the film’s final cut, James Gunn included a brief cameo fromStan Lee, keeping the legacy going. However, in the sequel,Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2,when Lee further reprised his cameo fans theorized a connection between the legend and his cameos.
In the 2017 installment from James Gunn, as The Man was spotted wearing a spacesuit and sitting on an asteroid, with three Watchers surrounding him and listening to him talk, fans theorized that Stan Lee was indeed a Watcher informant. One fan tweeted the theory stating, “Stan Lee was canonically a Watcher informant, and was playing the same character in every MCU movie”.
Also read:James Gunn Reportedly Working on 8 New Movies to Build DCU, Wipes Out 1 More Snyderverse Franchise Ahead of Blue Beetle Premiere
James Gunn Addressed Fans Theories About Stan Lee’s Cameo
After the fan theory surrounding Stan Lee’s appearance in the MCU films as well as its adaptations, gained momentum and struck netizens, James Gunn addressed the tweet and responded. The acclaimed filmmaker who added Lee’s cameo in the firstGuardians of the Galaxy, at the last moment, addressed the tweet and admitted what prompted him to do so.
Playing along with fan theories,James Gunnconfessed how he often gets ideas from them. Admitting how he nicked several ideas from fans on Twitter, Gunn clarified, “I stole the idea from fan theories on Twitter, which I thought were hilarious.” He later addressed the particular Watcher theory and mentioned how he found it hilariously worthy.
“One thing I found very funny and interesting is the fact that people thought Stan Lee is a Watcher… and that all of these cameos that he’s doing are part of him being a Watcher. So I thought that was one of the greatest things the fans came up with.” James Gunn admitted.
Thus, giving into fan theories, Gunn admitted using them for his creative benefit. “So Stan Lee as a guy who is either a Watcher or probably a guy who is working for the Watchers was something that I thought was fun for the MCU” the director confessed. Without discussing any further if the theory had a weightage, James Gunn left his fans wondering for more.
WatchGuardians of the Galaxymovies on Disney+.
Read more:“There wasn’t much I could do about it”: Stan Lee Was Very Unhappy After Marvel’s Insulting Contract Despite Creating the $7.7 Billion Avengers Franchise
Source:Digital Spy
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3219
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
