At the 2026 San Diego Comic-Con, director Jon Bolerjack pulled back the curtain on one of the comic book industry’s most heartbreaking stories. His documentary, Stan Lee: The Final Chapter, serves as a sobering investigation into the twilight years of the legendary Marvel icon.
Shot over nearly a decade by Bolerjack while he served as Lee’s assistant, the film moves beyond the polished public persona to expose the exploitation and manipulation Lee faced before his death in 2018.
What began as a plan to document the day-to-day life of a legend evolved into a crusade for the truth. Bolerjack explains that his initial vision of a lighthearted docuseries was shattered by the darker realities unfolding behind closed doors. He observed a toxic ecosystem where associates prioritized financial gain over the welfare of a 95-year-old man.
Jon Bolerjack revealed that one of his creative visions for the reenactments in Stan Lee: The Final Chapter was deeply inspired by the documentary series Dark Side of the Ring.
During his discussion at San Diego Comic-Con with The Knockturnal, Bolerjack shared his admiration for the style utilized in that series, saying, “I love Dark Side of the Ring, man. I thought they’re cool. I think they’re so good. And that’s how I initially wanted to shoot the recreations.” He even mentioned having met with one of the directors of photography who worked on those specific Dark Side of the Ring reenactments to help shape his approach to the documentary’s visual storytelling.
As the situation grew increasingly dire, Bolerjack attempted to intervene by alerting authorities. However, he quickly learned that systemic barriers often prevent justice for the elderly. Navigating the legal gray areas of elder abuse proved to be an uphill battle. Reflecting on his attempts to involve law enforcement, Bolerjack explains the frustration of being ignored.
“Cops really need a very specific actionable thing like a bruise or something, right? Like they need something you can see, and you can act on. If you don’t have that, they have 400 other cases where someone’s actually got a black eye or something that they could go put their energy and they have to make a decision,” said Bolerjack.
Despite the emotional toll and the difficulty of securing evidence, Bolerjack remained committed to the project. The documentary features candid accounts and archival footage that paint a stark picture of the alleged financial exploitation. For the filmmaker, the project is less about sensationalism and more about exposing the truth of a life that was often hidden in plain sight. Addressing his goals for the film’s reception, he shared, “You can walk out of that movie and go, I hate every person in there, but as long as you know that that’s what happened and that’s the truth, that’s fine with me. I just want you to it’s important that the world know that’s what happened and that’s the most important part of the film is that that’s the truth”
Stan Lee: The Final Chapter is a difficult watch, but an essential one for those who wish to understand the full complexity of Stan Lee’s last few years of his life. By prioritizing the evidence, he captured over the desire to be liked, Bolerjack has created a haunting account that demands accountability for those who preyed upon a vulnerable icon. The documentary serves as a permanent record of the events leading to the end of an era, ensuring that the final, tumultuous years of one of pop culture’s greatest creators are not forgotten or sanitized.
