Stan Lee documentary claims former manager hid millions from comics icon
Fresh scrutiny has returned to Stan Lee's final years after a new documentary alleged that the legendary Marvel co creator was swindled out of millions by his former manager. The claims arrive alongside renewed attention from newspaper reports detailing legal cases connected to Lee's finances and the people who managed his affairs during the final chapter of his life.
Stan Lee: The Final Chapter, directed by Jon Bolerjack, is scheduled to arrive on video on demand on July 28 after a screening at SAN DIEGO COMIC CON on July 23. The documentary is built around footage filmed during Lee's last four years before his death in 2018 at the age of 95. Bolerjack served as one of Lee's assistants during that period and says he documented events as concerns about Lee's wellbeing and finances grew.
According to the documentary, Lee's former manager Max Anderson allegedly exercised significant control over the comic book icon's public appearances, autograph signings and financial affairs. The film includes interviews with several former associates, including producer Alex Barajas and former business development manager Jerry Blank, who describe counting large sums of cash after fan events before the money was handed to Anderson.
One sequence reportedly shows Lee asking how much money he had earned during an appearance. According to the documentary, Anderson responded that it was "not enough", while Lee later expressed confusion about where money from various events had gone. Bolerjack says Lee appeared unaware of the total income generated through his appearances and merchandising activities.
The documentary's release follows legal developments involving Anderson. In 2026, he was sentenced to one year and one day in prison after being convicted on federal tax fraud charges related to failing to report approximately $1.2m earned through work connected to Lee. Earlier, Lee's daughter, JC Lee, settled a civil lawsuit accusing Anderson of taking more than $21m from her father through autograph signings, appearance fees and other business dealings. Anderson has denied handling or stealing Lee's money in connection with those allegations.
Entertainment Weekly reported that the filmmakers attempted to contact Anderson for comment regarding the documentary's latest claims. No response was included in the report.
Lee, who co created many of Marvel's most recognisable superheroes including Spider Man, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, the X Men and Black Panther, remained a regular presence at conventions and fan events well into his nineties. His declining health and business arrangements during those years attracted widespread public attention before his death in November 2018.