….
[15th September 2017]
The afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaded glass windows of the West Hollywood bungalow.
Sitting in an armchair with a warm mug cradled in his hands was the eighty year old comic legend–
Stan Lee.
Despite his age, his eyes behind his glasses remained vigilant, carrying the childlike enthusiasm that had fueled the creation of an entire universe.
Across from him sat David Muir, holding a neat stack of interview cards.
"It is an absolute honor to sit down with you, Stan." David Muir opened, offering a warm, respectful smile. "We are currently in the middle of what the trades are calling the most historic awards season sweep in Hollywood history. LIE Studios, under Regal Seraphsail, has just secured twenty one Academy Award nominations across three completely different films.
"As the man who laid the very foundation of all the characters in comics, how does it feel to see the same character based films treated with this level of prestigious, classical respect?"
Stan let out a soft, delighted chuckle, waving his hand dismissively–
"Oh, it's absolutely marvelous, David! Excelsior, I say! If you had told me forty years ago, that our characters would be discussed by the Academy's just like the greats Shakespeare or Tennessee Williams, I would have told you to go write a sci-fi novel!
"That time, we were just trying to keep the lights on and pay the rent. But Regal... took them and gave them a whole another shape and meaning."
"You have spent a lot of time on Regal's sets." Muir noted, leaning forward. "Your cameos in Spider-Man and Iron Man have become legendary. What is your personal relationship with him like behind the scenes?"
"Regal is a genius, but a very quiet, sneaky kind of genius." Stan grinned, his white mustache twitching with amusement–
"The first time he approached me for Spider-Man, I had only seen a fan boy in him. I doubted if he was living in delulu. But, oh god, I underestimated him, and I am glad I was wrong."
David Muir nodded, smiling as he flipped to his next card. "That brings us to a very fascinating question. You've spent your entire life championing the Marvel side of the aisle. You created Spider-Man, Iron Man, the Hulk, and so many of the characters currently dominating Earth-616.
"But I have to ask... what are your thoughts on Batman? Especially now, with the massive cultural storm surrounding The Dark Knight?"
Stan's face lit up with a brilliant, nostalgic warmth, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Batman is a good idea…" Stan said, his voice carrying a soft, reflective lilt. "And interestingly, as many might have known it, the writer of the Batman, the fellow who created the Batman, Jerry Siegel, was a dear friend of mine.
"We both started MarvelD Comics together back in the day. But many might have not known it, Jerry was a funny guy, just the opposite of me."
Muir leaned in, thoroughly captivated. "The opposite of you?"
"Oh, absolutely!" Stan laughed, gesturing with his hands–
"I am a bit of a ham, you see… I love the cameras, crowds and big moments. But Jerry? He was a different kind of proud. He would go to a restaurant with me, we would have dinner, and the minute the waiter came over to take our orders, Jerry would puff out his chest, look the waiter straight in the eye, and say, 'Do you know who I am?'"
Stan paused, mimicking Jerry's proud, booming voice perfectly, a broad grin on his face.
"And the waiter would look confused, and Jerry would say, 'I am Jerry Siegel, I created Batman. Here, I will draw you a picture.' And right there on the paper napkin, he would draw a little sketch of the cowl.
"He was so happy and proud of what he had done. He wanted the whole world to know that he gave them Gotham. So when I watch Christian Isaac stand on top of that high-rise, or when I see Fede and Regal capture the dark beauty of that city, I don't see a rival company's character.
"I see my dear friend Jerry's proudest dream brought to life with the absolute highest level of artistry. It makes me incredibly emotional."
"That is a beautiful memory, Stan." Muir said softly, momentarily touched by the deep history of the medium–
"Looking at the current slate of films that have been released under the LIE banner over the past twelve months... What has been your personal favorite? What's your recent best film?"
"Oh, I absolutely loved John Wick!" Stan blurted out, his voice rising in genuine excitement. "What a film! And what a performance from Keanu Reeves! It's stylish, beautiful, and it has this incredible pacing that just sweeps you off your feet–
"I met Keanu on the lot a few months ago while they were doing the stunt prep, and let me tell you, I like the man immensely. He is the sweetest, most humble fellow you could ever meet.
"He offered me lunch, asked me about my health and my old comic scripts before we even talked about the movie. I hope Regal gives him a character in Marvel eventually. He deserves to be part of our family too."
Muir's eyes sharpened, sensing a major exclusive. "Is there... is there any character you wish Keanu would play in the MarvelD Cinematic Universe?"
He is already aware that Regal is working with Kenau for a new film now, but he heard that it's a zombie film. So he was curious to learn if both of them are the same.
Stan's grin turned incredibly sly. "Oh, there is..."
"Can you share it with us?" Muir pressed.
"It's the Winter Soldier." Stan revealed.
Muir blinked, thoroughly stunned. "The Winter Soldier?"
He didn't recognize the character, which meant it was probably not a major one, a little disappointing since he had been hoping for something more significant.
"Yes!" However, Stan nodded vigorously. "But of course, it's all on Regal. I have never discussed it with him… this is actually the first time I am telling it out loud to anyone!
"But in my mind, Keanu has the intensity in his eyes where he can deliver a performance without saying a single word of dialogue. And that's exactly what the Winter Soldier needs."
Muir laughed, jotting down a quick note on his pad. "I think the entire internet is going to explode the moment this interview airs, Stan. Speaking of the future, Regal is actually working with him for a new project about zombies, so I heard it will be some time before he can direct an MDCU film.
"Still, I must ask you. How do you feel about the direction the MarvelD Cinematic Universe is taking as we head toward The Avengers and Batman v Superman?"
"It's the ultimate dream." Stan said, sounding philosophical. "When we were creating these characters, we always imagined a day when heroes from different stories could share the same world. Spider-Man swinging past Stark Tower, Captain America standing alongside Thor. Batman watches from the shadows while Superman takes to the sky. Seeing all of these heroes finally come together and realizing their stories were never meant to exist in isolation... that's the kind of universe we always wanted to build.
"If MarvelD can make audiences feel like they're watching a living world where every choice matters and every story leaves a mark, then they've achieved something we could only dream about when we were writing the comics."
"And Regal is doing exactly that, but with a level of patience that is truly admirable. So I can proudly say, by the time they finally stand together, it will be a historic event."
Stan took a slow sip of his tea, looking out at the sunlit garden beyond the window.
"You see, David, people often ask me what the 'universal language' is. Some say it's music, others say it's mathematics. But after eighty years on this earth, I have realized that the true universal language of the human race is the story.
"It's the myths we build to help us make sense of the dark. And right now, Regal and LIE Studios are building the grandest, most honest myths of our generation. I am just incredibly grateful that I get to sit in the front row and watch it happen."
David Muir smiled, setting his cards down on the table as he reached out to shake the legend's hand–
"Stan, thank you so much for your time. This has been an absolute privilege."
"The pleasure was all mine, Jimmy… uh, David!" Stan chuckled, waving his hand with his trademark. "Excelsior!"
As the television crew began packing up their light.
Stan sat back in his chair, a faint, content smile playing on his lips as he looked at the framed napkin drawing of Batman resting on his bookshelf.
The spirit of his old friend Jerry is still burning as bright as a signal in the dark.
.
….
[To be continued…]
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