“We are not attempting to resurrect Stan”
During our conversation, DeMoulin consistently emphasized that their AI hologram was not meant to act as a substitute for the living Lee. “We want to ensure that everyone grasps our intent; we are not attempting to resurrect Stan,” he stated. “We’re not implying that this is Stan, nor are we trying to put words in his mouth, and this avatar isn’t going to be featured in ads for other people’s products.”
DeMoulin views the Lee avatar as a sort of advanced guide to a repository of Marvel knowledge and trivia, showcased with a fun and recognizable face. “In the introduction, the avatar will declare, ‘I’m here due to the latest technological advancements, which allow me to exist as a holographic likeness of Stan to respond to your queries about Marvel and trivia and more,’” he remarked.
Nevertheless, DeMoulin acknowledged that the idea of utilizing even a stylized representation of Lee’s image in this way might unsettle some fans. “When new technology emerges, it can feel inappropriate to many, and I respect that this may be unsettling for people,” he mentioned. “I completely agree that something like this—not just for Stan but for anyone, any celebrity who is alive or deceased—could be incorporated into this technology and used in a manner that would be exploitative and regrettable.”
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Fans like these, observed at LA Comic Con 2022, will ultimately decide whether the AI-driven Stan Lee avatar is seen as respectful.
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That’s why DeMoulin mentioned that he and the team behind the AI-enhanced Lee feel a duty “to ensure that if we were to undertake this, we never approached that line.” Furthermore, he expressed his “disappointment that individuals would harbor such negativity towards something they’ve yet to experience. … It’s not that I consider their perspective to be invalid. What I find invalid is possessing a vastly negative perspective on something that you haven’t genuinely witnessed.”
