Are AI Stan Lee holograms a step forward or crossing a line?
409Last week, The Hollywood Reporter shared news about an AI-powered Stan Lee hologram heading to LA Comic Con. Fans will be able to pay around $15 to $20 to chat with a life-sized digital version of the Marvel legend inside a special booth. This comes nearly seven years after Lee’s passing at age 95. The idea sparked a lot of strong reactions online, mostly negative. Many fans and media outlets called it disrespectful or creepy, saying it felt ghoulish to recreate a beloved creator in this way.
Despite the backlash, the organizers of LA Comic Con are pushing forward. Chris DeMoulin, CEO of the company behind the event, encourages people to see the hologram for themselves before judging. “We’re not afraid of criticism,” he said. “Most of what’s out there isn’t really informed. We’re trying to create an experience that feels genuine for fans.”
DeMoulin admits it’s not a perfect project. Creating a convincing digital Lee isn’t easy, and technology is always improving. The goal is to feed enough real information into the AI so that the hologram responds in a way that feels true to the creator. If it works well, fans can ask questions and get answers that reflect Lee’s personality and words, not just robotic responses.
Previous hologram projects at LA Comic Con
This isn’t the first time LA Comic Con has used holograms. In 2019, they showcased Boffo the Bear, a giant animated character who hosted a talent show with voice actors. Boffo was powered by real-time motion capture from an actor, not AI. Over the years, the technology has advanced rapidly. DeMoulin points out that his team has watched these improvements closely, and now they believe they can create a convincing AI version of Lee that interacts naturally.
The making of the AI Stan Lee
To build the AI Lee, the team collaborated with Hyperreal, a company specializing in digital identities. They trained the AI using decades’ worth of content — from interviews, panels, and written material Lee left behind. The idea was to develop a digital double that could answer questions based on what Lee actually said during his lifetime. Hyperreal CEO Remington Scott explained that their tech creates personalized AI versions of celebrities by using a custom ecosystem of advanced AI tools.
DeMoulin says they spent tens of thousands to over six figures on development. The first test version of the hologram was ready about a month ago. It needed some tweaks to better capture Lee’s speech patterns, pauses, and catchphrases. The aim was to make the digital Lee sound as much like the real person as possible.
Addressing concerns about AI recreations
Many people worry about AI recreations going off-script or making things up. DeMoulin acknowledges those fears but says their team has tested the hologram extensively. They’ve asked hundreds of questions to see how it responds. “The only words in Stan’s mouth are his words,” he insists. While AI can sometimes hallucinate or generate false information, their testing shows that the Lee hologram stays true to his documented views and speech.
A moderator will be present during the Q&A sessions to handle questions from the audience. Fan questions will be relayed into a microphone, reducing ambient noise. The team has also set up “content governors” to prevent the AI from discussing inappropriate topics. For example, if someone asks about politics, the hologram will steer the conversation back to Marvel or Lee’s work. But on Marvel-related subjects, the AI isn’t shy about addressing controversy, including honest disagreements among creators like Jack Kirby. The hologram is programmed to respond respectfully and accurately, reflecting Lee’s known opinions.
Hyperreal’s Scott says they focus on training the AI with verified content to ensure responses stay aligned with Lee’s documented beliefs. DeMoulin emphasizes that the AI will be transparent about what it can and can’t discuss, sticking closely to Lee’s voice and personality.
In the end, whether this AI Lee hologram is a good idea or not depends on how well it works and how fans feel about it. For some, it’s a fascinating way to connect with a legend. For others, it raises questions about respecting the memory of those who have passed. The organizers are betting that if the experience feels authentic and respectful, fans will embrace it — or at least, give it a fair shot before judging.
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