Though Hugh Jackman’s X-Men days are now behind him, Wolverine will always be the actor’s definitive role in the eyes of many a filmgoer. So when the news broke yesterday that legendary Marvel Comics writer Stan Lee had passed away, the Australian star was among the legions to voice their gratitude for the man’s unparalleled contributions to pop culture.
In an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jackman took the time to reflect on Lee’s legacy, describing the immense impact that his work has had on multiple generations.
“Let me just say to the family and to the legions of fans that I remember Stan as a true gentleman that had this glint in his eye,” Jackman said. “He was a creative genius. He thought outside the box. He created a whole universe that changed the lives of many people, mine included.”
Jackman then went on to recall the time he attended Comic Con and got completely ignored as he walked across the red carpet because about 300 photographers were too busy photographing Lee.
The star of a decades-spanning array of X-Men movies also took to Twitter yesterday, where he again praised the co-creator of this property, and said he was proud to have been a part of his legacy:
“We’ve lost a creative genius. Stan Lee was a pioneering force in the superhero universe. I’m proud to have been a small part of his legacy and …. to have helped bring one of his characters to life.”
Jackman is far from the only actor with reasons to be thankful for Lee’s work, of course, with an assortment of Marvel-related film stars taking to social media in these last couple of days with tributes to the late publisher. Mark Ruffalo, for instance, tweeted the message that Lee has “made the world a better place through the power of modern mythology.” His Avengers co-star Chris Evans, meanwhile, recalled how the writer “exuded love and kindness and will leave an indelible mark on so, so, so many lives.”
The list of tributes goes on, with everyone from Joss Whedon to Mark Hamill sharing their thought and memories of Stan Lee. Needless to say, though the man himself may be gone, his impact can still be seen far and wide through the fantastical universe he helped create.
