Full Breakdown
ElevenLabs Licenses Stan Lee’s Voice and Likeness for AI Use
5/28/2026, 11:24:41 AM
Deal Overview
ElevenLabs signed a licensing deal with Stan Lee Universe to add Stan Lee’s voice and visual likeness to its Iconic Marketplace, where the voice can be licensed commercially and the visuals are limited to non-commercial use. It also launches a “Stan Lee Book Club of the Month” in the Eleven Reader app, starting with *Treasure Island*.
Background & Context
Stan Lee died in 2018. Marvel licensed his name, voice and image in 2022 for films and theme-park attractions. Earlier AI attempts, like a Proto Hologram chatbot at the 2025 Comic-Con, faced fan criticism. The deal follows a trend to monetize deceased celebrities via AI.
Key Players
ElevenLabs, valued at $11 billion, partners with Stan Lee Universe (Genius Brands and POW! Entertainment), represented by board member Chaz Rainey, with ethicist Lori McCreary commenting.
Data & Statistics
ElevenLabs raised $500 million in a Series D round, valuing it at $11 billion. Its marketplace already includes voices like Michael Caine, Judy Garland and Albert Einstein. The Book Club will roll out 12 public-domain titles in a year.
Official Statements & Responses
Stan Lee Universe said the deal lets fans “hear the words in Stan’s voice” via modern technology. ElevenLabs called it a “landmark partnership” expanding its licensed catalog. McCreary urged tech and entertainment firms to ensure AI respects consent and protects name, image and likeness rights.
Criticism & Opposition
Fans on social media called the move “embarrassing” and “bleak,” saying it exploits Lee’s legacy and raises authenticity concerns. Others doubt Stan Lee Universe’s authority to license the likeness after a dispute with POW! Entertainment.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on scope: the voice is cleared for commercial use, but visual templates stay non-commercial. The press release was later removed from ElevenLabs’ site, leaving final terms unclear. The legal right of Stan Lee Universe to license the likeness remains contested.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You know what they never tell you about legends? They outlive the page.” — AI-generated Stan Lee
- “Stan always believed in meeting his fans where they were: in the pages of a comic, at a convention, or in a quick on-screen cameo,” — Chaz Rainey, Stan Lee Universe
- “Technology companies and the entertainment industry need to work together to create AI systems that respect consent, protect name, image, and likeness rights, and preserve the value of human creativity.” — Lori McCreary
- “With great power comes great responsibility,” — AI-generated Stan Lee
Why It Matters
The agreement shows how AI firms can monetize celebrity estates while prompting ethical debates over posthumous representation, consent and the commercial exploitation of cultural icons. It may set a precedent for future licensing of deceased personalities across media.
What’s Next
ElevenLabs will add a new public-domain book each month to the Book Club, roll out two Lee-inspired music filters, and seek further commercial collaborations. Observers expect regulatory scrutiny and possible pushback from other estates as AI-generated likenesses become commonplace.
