Stan Lee’s wife, Joan Lee, added a sentimental touch to his appearance in X:Men: Apocalypse

Stan Lee, the creative genius behind Marvel’s wild universe, was famous for his brief yet delightful cameos scattered throughout the MCU movies in the later years. Consequently, fans were genuinely taken aback when they didn’t spot Lee in the second part of the X-Men series.

When questioned about his absence, his usual response at conventions remained, “nobody asked me,” adding a touch of humor to the mystery. Here’s the real reason.

Stan Lee

Why Didn’t Stan Lee Make a Cameo in X-Men 2?

Firstly, not only was Stan Lee missing from the second part of the X-Men series, but he was also notably absent from almost the entire X-Men reboot series. And why is that so? Reportedly, the filming location of 2011’s X-Men: First Class was too far away for the creator to attend, and in 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past, he was merely not extended an invitation to make an appearance, just like X2, according to Lee.

For the longest time, people also speculated that it was an issue of scheduling conflict.

He then further elaborated on why he wasn’t in X2 specifically and also if he would have his famous cameos in the future projects of the series. He explained on Filmfreak radio, as reported by ComicBookMovie,

“No, no I don’t, I don’t think I’m gonna have cameos in the sequels ’cause I think that gets to be a little much. I’m hoping I can have a cameo in the first movie of each character.”

Why wasn’t Stan Lee in X2?

Thus, even though the precise reason for Stan ‘The Man’ Lee’s absence in this particular film isn’t known, he had a clever justification for his non-appearance in the X-Men films. Speaking to CNN he revealed,

“I have a funny theory about it,–It also could be they didn’t want me to do the cameo because, without my cameo, the movie will make more money…You see, somebody watches the movie and the movie ends and the person says, ‘Wow, I didn’t see Stan’s cameo. I must have missed it.’ So what do they do? Right back to the box office, buy another ticket, and watch the movie again. So I think it’s a big moneymaking ploy on the part of the producers.”

But…there is a specific cameo that holds great significance and is incredibly dear to the comic book writer.

What Is Stan Lee’s Favorite X-Men Cameo?

In a delightful change from his usual comic relief roles, Stan Lee surprised moviegoers with a scene that was not only pivotal for the film X-Men: Apocalypse‘s plot but also deeply personal for the legendary comic book creator.

At a San Diego Comic-Con chit-chat, Lee once explained to the audience that his cameo in X-Men: Apocalypse is his favorite, because of “one additional thing” that the movie so graciously included that made it extremely special to him.

Stan Lee and Joan Lee in X-Men: Apocalypse

It was later revealed that the extra element turned out to be none other than his wife, Joan Lee, adding a touching and sentimental touch to his appearance.

X2 is currently available on STARZ to stream.