The opening credits of "Deadpool" would excite Marvel fans. Instead of actors and members of the film crew, they were treated to common names that would mean LOSER. It was self-depreciation, but producers were aware that Ryan Reynolds badly needed a box-office hit. (“Green Lantern†was a letdown.) Furthermore, 20th Century Fox took a beating after the opening of the "Fantastic Four" reboot last summer. Not that Stan Lee wanted Marvel Studios to produce every story he have written, but the celluloid version of "Deadpool" clicked with moviegoers.
"Deadpool" was less in action, which was the least expected. In fact, the screenplay was laced with so much profanity. It would wear off the viewers after the first half. (It was good while it lasted.) This may be Ryan Reynolds's finest hour, as he was born for that role. It may be silly to consider him for the Oscars next year, but don't discount a sequel.
Stan Lee, who created Deadpool, played the disc jockey at the strip bar. (And you'll see him again in “Captain America: Civil War†this spring.) Lee had many reasons to smile. There was no doubt about his legacy in comic books, but cinema was something else. Never in his wildest dreams that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) would change the film landscape in such a short time. No one would say that one was not good enough. Maybe Wolverine could be an exception. (After the box-office success of “Deadpoolâ€, the third installment of “Wolverine†would be more violent. It could be close to the original material, but that would be for Stan Lee to judge.) Expect more superheroes to invade the big screen in the coming years.
Back to the question
Is Stan Lee the greatest storyteller ever? Those who have been following the lives of comics superheroes wouldn't have second thoughts about it. Don't be surprised if Hollywood producers would agree to it. Shakespeare wouldn't roll in his grave. After all, he had no idea that his plays would make him a literary immortal. A face-off between the creator of Superman and the Bard would be intriguing, though.
There was poetry behind Lee's works, which were highlighted by Jack Kirby's illustrations. These superheroes have seen it all. They became weary of their duties to protect the people. And solitude was becoming unappealing in the long run. It seemed less preposterous. The Marvel universe would speak to its readers in non-literal truths. This was one of the reasons behind the success of "Deadpool". Lee won't mind the changes in his stories, as long as he would do a cameo.
