Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Pratt and Simu Liu Honor Stan Lee's 102nd Birthday
Millions of Fans From Across the World Remembered the Legendary Creator Through Social Media
Stan Lee Universe Accelerates With the Next Highly Anticipated Superhero Saga The Excelsiors
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Dec. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kartoon Studios (NYSE:TOON), the controlling partner of Stan Lee Universe, marked Stan Lee's 102nd birthday, December 28th, with a global online celebration this past weekend. Millions of fans worldwide across social media platforms, including X, Instagram, and TikTok, paid tribute to the visionary creator whose imagination shaped generations.
Hollywood icons Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Pratt, and Simu Liu joined the celebration, sharing heartfelt video messages reflecting on Stan's unparalleled creativity, enduring vision, and unforgettable personality. Their messages, alongside countless posts from fans worldwide, highlighted the profound personal and cultural impact of ‘Stan the Man.' Fans can see more at the official Stan Lee social media accounts:
- X: @TheRealStanLee
- Instagram: @TheRealStanLee
- TikTok: @stanleepresents
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realstanlee/
This celebration arrives as excitement builds for Stan Lee Universe's next groundbreaking superhero project, The Excelsiors. The Excelsiors is one of Stan Lee's largest initial superhero ensemble creations featuring 20 characters of superheroes and supervillains with unique powers, foibles, and vulnerabilities, uniquely conceived for the world of AI, algorithms and drones. The project is set to debut as a graphic novel through Legible Comics, with simultaneous plans for television and film adaptations.
Guiding The Excelsiors to life is the renowned Michael Uslan, the visionary originator and executive producer behind the Batman film franchise, and his son, producer David Uslan. Reflecting on the weekend's tribute, Michael Uslan shared: "It was truly incredible to witness millions of fans worldwide—alongside legends like Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Simu Liu, and Chris Pratt—come together to honor Stan's legacy. I'm privileged to have called him a mentor and friend, and I can't wait to share The Excelsiors with the world in 2025."
Stan Lee, born Stanley Martin Lieber on December 28, 1922, in New York City, was a legendary comic book writer, editor, and publisher who played a pivotal role in shaping the modern superhero genre. As the creative force behind Marvel Comics, he co-created iconic characters such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, the X-Men, Thor, the Hulk, Black Panther, and the Fantastic Four, often collaborating with artists like Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. Lee revolutionized comics by introducing flawed, relatable heroes who faced personal struggles alongside their superhuman battles, making them more human and appealing to readers. Beyond his storytelling, Lee's charismatic personality made him a beloved public figure and ambassador for Marvel, with cameo appearances in countless Marvel Cinematic Universe films. His contributions to pop culture earned him numerous awards and a lasting legacy as one of the greatest storytellers of our era. Stan Lee passed away on November 12, 2018, but his imaginative spirit and legendary characters continue to inspire generations worldwide.
About Kartoon Studios
Kartoon Studios (NYSE:TOON) is a global end-to-end creator, producer, distributor, marketer, and licensor of entertainment brands. The Company's IP portfolio includes original animated content, including the Stan Lee brand, and post-Marvel Stan Lee content of over 200 characters through its controlling interest in Stan Lee Universe, as well as "Stan Lee's Superhero Kindergarten," starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, on Kartoon Channel! and Ameba; "Shaq's Garage," starring Shaquille O'Neal, on Kartoon Channel!; "Rainbow Rangers" on Kartoon Channel! and Ameba; the Netflix Original, "Llama Llama," starring Jennifer Garner, and more. In 2022, Kartoon Studios acquired Canada's WOW! Unlimited Media, and a material financial interest in its subsidiary, Mainframe Studios, which is one of the most successful animation service houses in the world, producing top brands for 3rd parties, including "Cocomelon," "Barbie's Playhouse," "Unicorn Academy," and "SuperKitties." Additionally, the company made a strategic investment becoming the largest shareholder in Germany's Your Family Entertainment AG, one of Europe's leading distributors and broadcasters of high-quality programs for children and families. Toon Media Networks, the Company's wholly owned digital distribution network, consists of Kartoon Channel!, Frederator Network, and Ameba. Kartoon Channel! is a globally distributed entertainment platform with near full penetration of the U.S. market. Kartoon Channel continually is ranked by viewers in the Apple app store at the top of user entertainment apps. Kartoon Channel! and Ameba are available across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android Mobile, Web, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, Pluto TV, Comcast, Cox, Dish, Sling TV, Android TV, Tubi, Xumo, and Samsung and LG Smart TVs. Frederator Network owns and operates one of the largest global animation networks on YouTube, with channels featuring over 2000 exclusive creators and influencers, garnering billions of views annually. For additional information, please visit www.kartoonstudios.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release and include statements regarding the project being set to debut as a graphic novel through Legible Comics, with simultaneous plans for television and film adaptations. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, our ability to debut the project as a graphic novel through Legible Comics and simultaneously have television and film adaptations; our ability to generate revenue or achieve profitability; our ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, if at all; fluctuations in the results of our operations from period to period; general economic and financial conditions; our ability to anticipate changes in popular culture, media and movies, fashion and technology; competitive pressure from other distributors of content and within the retail market; our reliance on and relationships with third-party production and animation studios; our ability to market and advertise our products; our reliance on third-parties to promote our products; our ability to keep pace with technological advances; our ability to protect our intellectual property and those other risk factors set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
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