In the twilight years of Stan Lee's storied life, Jon Bolerjack and his ever-present camera became an inseparable companion, tagging along with the Marvel legend as he journeyed across the globe to comic conventions, movie premieres, and the cozy confines of his Hollywood Hills abode. Bolerjack's lens captured enchanting moments and heartfelt conversations, immortalizing Lee's essence in a series of candid snapshots. Yet, beneath the surface charm, Bolerjack's footage also revealed dark undercurrents within Lee's inner circle.
For years, Bolerjack has been painstakingly transforming hundreds of hours of footage into a documentary titled "Stan Lee: The Final Years," a project shrouded in secrecy until now. He has unveiled a captivating trailer and launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring this labor of love to completion, revealing the immense personal financial sacrifice he has made, amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It is no secret that Lee's final chapter was fraught with challenges. A 2018 investigative piece by The Hollywood Reporter detailed accusations of elder abuse amidst a power struggle for control over Lee's well-being and estate. Bolerjack asserts, however, that the truth was even grimmer than previously reported, claiming that Lee was financially devastated by the time of his passing in November 2018, at the age of 95.
The trailer weaves a narrative of an aging icon, weary yet still propelled from one comic book signing to the next. Though the identities of the figures in the footage remain unnamed, one individual is unmistakably Max Anderson, Lee's former road manager who was also scrutinized in the THR investigation and has steadfastly denied any misconduct related to his duties with Lee.
A lifelong comic book enthusiast and a documentary film school graduate, Bolerjack crossed paths with Lee a decade ago through a mutual acquaintance, pitching the idea of a reality show. Lee embraced the concept, and soon Bolerjack found himself embedded within the comic creator's entourage.
Yet, it became increasingly evident that Lee's relentless schedule—constant travel, endless autograph sessions—was wearing him down. Bolerjack, driven by compassion, attempted to alleviate Lee's burden, acknowledging that he broke the documentary filmmaker's cardinal rule by forging a close bond with his subject. "He became a friend, family, and I yearned to be his advocate," Bolerjack reflects, adding that he sought to reduce Lee's workload and advocate for more rest. "I gave it my all."
Lee was renowned for his unwavering optimism and public persona as Marvel's eternal cheerleader, making it startling to contemplate that he would endorse the inclusion of his darkest hours in a documentary. However, Bolerjack insists that Lee granted his blessing, fully aware that the proposed reality show had evolved into a documentary. "I had extensive conversations with him about this, even in his final days. He had been through so much, yet I sensed no shame," Bolerjack shares. "I believe he wanted it out there as a cautionary tale."
