‘Stan Lee: The Final Chapter’ trailer: New documentary reveals Lee suffered elder abuse in final years-OxBig News Network

Stan Lee, and his former manager Max Anderson, in a still from ‘Stan Lee: The Final Chapter’
| Photo Credit: Stan Lee The Final Chapter/YouTube

The trailer of Stan Lee: The Final Chapter, a new documentary film on the tumulous final years of Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee, promises to expose the elder abuse and financial exploitation that Lee suffered in the final years of his life until he died in 2018 at the age of 95. The film is directed by Jon Bolerjack, who as Lee’s assistant became a fixture of his inner circle in his twilight years.

The trailer begins with Bolerjack explaining how he became a confidant and a friend to Lee. Bolerjack, a comic book nerd, met Lee a decade ago to pitch a reality show project. Since then, Bolerjack became a staple in Lee’s life, following him to comic book conventions, movie premieres, and Lee’s home in Hollywood, California. When Lee’s demanding schedule took a toll on his health, Bolerjack became his support system, advocating for breaks and sharing his workload.

In a chat with The Hollywood Reporter, the filmmaker said that he tried his best to help, and admitted that he broke a cardinal rule of documentary filmmaking by growing close to the subject.

“Stan spent his final years enduring mistreatment, manipulation and betrayal, in the hands of a few very bad actors. At the time, I didn’t have the power to stop it. But I did have a camera, and I filmed everything,” says Bolerjack in the trailer.

Though the trailer doesn’t name anyone specific, the visuals clearly focus on Max Anderson, Lee’s former manager who previously denied the allegations. The documentary also promises to touch upon the elder abuse that Lee allegedly suffered in his final years. For the unversed, Lee accused his former business partner and caretaker Keya Morgan of manipulation and abuse and filed a restraining order.

The documentary also features first-hand accounts from key witnesses, like comic book legends Rob Liefeld and Roy Thomas. The trailer also shows several notable creators — Dustin Nguyen, Mark Waid, Tyler Kirkham, Ben Bishop, Clayton Crain — sharing their thoughts after watching the documentary.

Bolerjack, who has reportedly invested significantly in the making of the documentary, seeks to raise $300,000 through a Kickstarted campaign to help finish the documentary.