Video:Stan Lee Interview - The Incredible Hulk
with Rebecca MurrayIn addition to creating 'The Incredible Hulk,' Stan Lee is the mastermind behind such beloved comic book heroes as Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, and Iron Man. His comics are loved by generations of fans, and there's just not a nicer guy around.
Transcript:Stan Lee Interview - The Incredible Hulk
Rebecca Murray from About.com Hollywood Movies at the World Premiere of The Incredible Hulk.
Stan Lee (Creator of The Incredible Hulk)
Will we ever see a time when comic book movies are not grabbed up and embraced by audiences?
Stan Lee: "I don't think so, as long as they make them well. It's like anything else. If you do it right, people are going to enjoy it whether it's a comic book movie or based on a novel or an original story. And if you don't do it right, forget it. Luckily Marvel has been doing it right."
You're still happy to see all of your characters coming to life on the screen?
Stan Lee: "Oh I love it. It's the funniest thing. I have nothing to do with the movies and yet I get so much credit, so it's the best situation."
Because you are the man!
Stan Lee: "And don't forget it."
Do they ever come to you and ask you questions, or are you kept out?
Stan Lee: "They did in the beginning. Now Robert Downey Jr, before Iron Man we had lunch and he asked me about the character. Nobody asked me about The Hulk because I think everybody knows all about The Hulk. But I'm friends with all of them. We talk. But I really try to butt out. See also from a political point of view, if the movie isn't as good as it should be, I can always say, 'Hey, I had nothing to do with it.' If the movie is great, 'Hey, I made up the character.' I can't lose."
And you do a cameo in this one, right?
Stan Lee: "Oh yes, yes. The only thing is I say only one word. Well, it's really only one syllable. I go, 'Wow.' Now I wanted, as most actors, most stars, they like to stretch their role so I wanted to go, 'W-o-w.' And Louis the director said, 'No Stan, it's wow.' And we argued a while because I'm rather temperamental. We went into my trailer and everybody was kept out. You could see the trailer shaking from the argument. And after about a half hour he came out bedraggled but he said, 'I won.' And in the cameo I just go, 'Wow.' So it isn't really me, but I want you to know I did my best."
When are they going to put you in as a supporting role and not just a cameo?
Stan Lee: "You have so much influence, I want you to say, 'When does Stan get to star in one of these? What's the big deal?' If I bring the audience in just because of my cameo, imagine if I were starring. What a thought – it never occurred to me. Get on that immediately."