'Dark Phoenix' Confirmed to Feature Stan Lee Tribute

Marvel would be nothing without one of its most prolific creators, the late Stan Lee, who imagined some of our favorite superheroes. Since Lee's passing in November the comic book world has been mourning, and to pay homage to the great creator, Marvel Studios has added tributes to Lee in its new movies.

Dark Phoenix will be the first Marvel movie since his passing that will not feature one of Lee's famous cameos, a tradition which will be sorely missed. But fans can be reassured that despite them not being able to see Lee in a cameo, they will be able to see a tribute to the legend.

Director Simon Kinberg talked to CinemaBlend about the tribute, saying:

"We don't have a cameo. I'd rather say that than then keep it mysterious, out of respect for Stan. We do have some tribute to him, and it's something that obviously we weren't thinking about when we were making the movie because he was still very much alive. And he's been such a huge part of making these films over the years. He's had cameos; he's had input into the process of making them."

Lee's first cameo in a Marvel movie happened to be in the first X-Men film in 2000, where he can be seen on the beach as a hot dog vendor when Senator Kelly walks up the beach naked.

"I've spent a lot of time with [Lee]. I've been lucky enough to spend a lot of time with him," Kinberg continued. "We went to his house for his cameo in Apocalypse, with him and his wife - which was a really special one because it was with his wife. They were so close, and they were together for, I mean, I think most of their adult lives."

Kinberg didn't share much as to what fans can expect of the tribute, but somehow we know it will be extremely heartfelt. Don't forget your tissue boxes when Dark Phoenix hits theaters on June 7.