Even after Stan Lee’s death, Marvel movies and shows found a way for him to cameo in some form. Stan Lee’s cameos became a beloved tradition in Marvel movies, bringing joy to viewers whenever the comic legend appeared on-screen. Following his passing in 2018, many assumed the tradition would end, but Marvel found creative ways to keep his spirit alive.
Instead of direct cameos, tributes and references began appearing across films and series from the MCU timeline and beyond. These honor Lee’s contributions to the Marvel Universe. Some were subtle Easter eggs, others more direct acknowledgments, but all celebrated the man who co-created countless heroes.
Lee Plays A Subway Passenger In Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel (2019) was the first Marvel release following Stan Lee’s death, and it included one of his most touching appearances. Early in the film, Carol Danvers boards a train and briefly locks eyes with Lee, who’s reading the script for Mallrats – a nod to his actual cameo in Kevin Smith’s 1995 comedy.
This scene served as a poignant farewell, enhanced by the film’s opening Marvel Studios logo. Instead of the usual montage of heroes, the ident was replaced with images of Lee himself. This truly spotlighted the man who helped bring Marvel to life, including the original Captain Marvel.
Stan Lee Gives Miles A Spider-Man Suit In Into The Spider-Verse
Stan Lee’s cameo in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse became one of his most heartfelt posthumous appearances. He plays a shopkeeper who sells Miles Morales a Spider-Man costume after Peter Parker’s death. When Miles hesitates, Lee reassures him: “It always fits… eventually.
As the creator of the original Spider-Man, it truly feels like Stan passing the mantle to the next generation. This hit much harder after Lee’s death. It was one of the most unexpectedly emotional moments in the movie.
Lee’s Final MCU Cameo In Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Endgame (2019) marked Stan Lee’s final recorded cameo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. During a flashback to the 1970s, a digitally de-aged Lee drives past a military base in a car, shouting “Make love, not war!” while sporting his classic look. This brief moment served as his cinematic goodbye, closing out his long legacy of appearances across the MCU.
Dark Phoenix Paid Tribute To Lee In The End Credits
Fox’s Dark Phoenix (2019) included a touching acknowledgment of Stan Lee’s passing. Instead of featuring him in the film itself, the tribute came at the very end with a dedication reading: “In Loving Memory of Stan Lee.” Given Lee’s influence on the X-Men’s creation, the message was a poignant tribute.
Spider-Man: Far From Home Referenced A Classic Stan Lee Story
Stan Lee’s presence lingered in Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) through a clever Easter egg tied to his comic book legacy. During the Prague sequence, Nick Fury’s car has the license plate “ASM 28965.” This is a nod to Amazing Spider-Man #28 from 1965, co-written by Lee, which introduced one of the movie’s villains, Molten Man.
Spider-Man: No Way Home Referenced Lee’s Birthday
In Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), a tribute to Stan Lee was hidden in the middle of the film’s massive bridge fight. As cars pile up during Peter’s battle with Doc Ock, a yellow taxi has the license plate number “122822.” This is a direct reference to December 28, 1922 – Stan Lee’s birthday.
What If…? Referenced Lee’s First MCU Cameo
Marvel’s animated anthology What If…? referenced Stan Lee in its episode “What If… the World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes?” (2021). In Bruce Banner’s lab, a Stanley’s Pizza Parlor delivery hat and jacket is on his desk at Culver University. This is a deep-cut reference to a deleted scene from The Incredible Hulk (2008), where Banner worked undercover at Stanley’s Pizza.
Loki Episode 1 Had A Stan Lee Lookalike
In the first episode of the celebrated superhero series Loki, Loki enters the Time Variance Authority’s courtroom, where portraits line the walls. Among the six individuals depicted, one strikingly resembles Stan Lee. This subtle design choice suggests that Lee might have existed as a TVA agent in some branch of the multiverse. It’s never directly stated, but the imagery is unmistakable.
Stan Lee’s Birthday Is Referenced In WandaVision
WandaVision (2021) included a reference to Stan Lee in its seventh thrilling superhero episode. During the scene where Wanda leaves her house, a license plate is visible on a parked car that reads “122822.” This is another reference to Lee’s birthday: December 28, 1922. Director Matt Shakman later confirmed the Easter egg as an intentional nod to the Scarlet Witch’s creator.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage Had Lee On A Magazine Cover
Sony’s Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) kept Stan Lee’s tradition alive with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo. In one scene, Eddie Brock walks through Mrs. Chen’s convenience store, where a magazine rack briefly displays an issue featuring Stan Lee on the cover. The moment is subtle but effective, reminding audiences that Lee’s legacy spans multiple Marvel franchises.
