Stan Lee, the beloved creative leader of Marvel Comics, was known for his iconic cameo appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films. However, it has been revealed that his cameo in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 would have taken a dark and terrifying turn. Released on May 5, 2023, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 marked the final adventure for the original line-up of the MCU’s cosmic team, and it was also director James Gunn’s last project with Marvel Studios before moving to DC.
Stan Lee’s Cut Guardians Of The Galaxy 3 Cameo Would’ve Been Horrifying
During the director’s commentary of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, James Gunn shared the original plan for Stan Lee’s cameo, which would have been disturbing. Gunn had written the character of Lambshank specifically for Stan Lee, envisioning the Marvel figurehead voicing the deformed creature. Lambshank was meant to have a “Stan Lee-like face,” adding to the chilling effect of the cameo.
In the film, Lambshank appeared when the Guardians were rescuing the High Evolutionary’s experiments. Mantis inadvertently screamed at Lambshank’s appearance but quickly clarified that she was actually screaming at something scary behind her. Lambshank, with a gentle reply of “thank you,” would have been voiced by Stan Lee in the original plans. The idea of animating Lee’s face onto the creature would have made it the most terrifying and disturbing of his MCU cameos.
How Lambshank’s Cameo Changed In The Finished Guardians Of The Galaxy 3
However, due to Stan Lee’s passing in 2018, the cameo had to be altered. James Gunn took on the role himself, performing the motion capture and providing the voice for Lambshank. The character only made a brief appearance in the final film, which was a fitting tribute to Lee’s legacy. Ultimately, it was decided that Avengers: Endgame would serve as Lee’s final cameo, as it remains a highlight of the MCU and a poignant farewell to the beloved Marvel icon.
