Leonardo DiCaprio apparently wants to play Stan Lee in a movie biopic, according to the Marvel comic book legend himself. Lee has received a bevy of accolades as acknowledgments for his countless contributions to the world of comic books and to the broader sense of pop culture, in recent years – from a hand and feet printing celebration at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles to being inducted to as a Disney Legend. Of course, the story behind how Lee made a name for himself in the world of comic books (and how he came up so many characters and stories that have enraptured comic readers for decades now), is one as deserving of a film treatment as Lee’s many superhero stories are.


Outside of his comic book writing, Lee is best known for making appearances in Marvel movies (both of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and non-MCU variety). However, despite having appeared in multiple films and even some TV shows over the years, Lee’s own tale has never been properly told on either the big or small screen. When the time does come for Lee’s real-life story to be adapted in movie form, it seems that no less than Oscar-winner DiCaprio wants to be the one who portrays Stan the Man onscreen.

Speaking at a panel during the Wizard World Nashville event (via AIPT!), the 94-year old Lee revealed that DiCaprio wants to portray him in a movie biopic:

“Believe it or not, I’ve already discussed it with Leonardo DiCaprio. He’s a neighbor of mine and we were talking one day some months ago, and he said, ‘Boy it’d be fun to do your story on the screen.’” So I said, ‘Well, I’ll audition you.’ Gotta make sure the guy can do it.”

Lee also revealed that DiCaprio is a proper Marvel fanboy, adding “He has all the walls covered with big Marvel posters and everything. He’s got very good taste.”

DiCaprio’s name is currently doing the rounds in the comic book movie circle, following a report that the actor is Warner Bros’ dream pick to play Joker in the DC Extended Universe-separate Joker origin movie that’s in (very) early development right now. The project is lining up some pretty big names behind the scenes, with The Hangover and War Dogs filmmaker Todd Phillips set to direct and DiCaprio’s longtime collaborator Martin Scorsese closing a deal to produce. DiCaprio and Scorsese have had a great working relationship over the years, which makes this news that much more exciting for DC fans… though, the odds are decidedly not in favor of DiCaprio actually signing on for the film.