Walt Disney Studios has signed an exclusive multi-year first-look deal with Spider-Man creator Stan Lee and his POW! Entertainment.

Lee and his production company will develop and produce entertainment acoss various platforms for the studio.

'As the father of such renowned comic book heroes as Spider-Man, The Hulk, X-Men among others, Stan is considered one of the most creative and inventive forces in the industry today,' Walt Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook said.

'His innate talent of tapping into the human qualities of his superhero characters has certainly struck a chord with generations of audiences and readers around the world.'

'We're very excited to be working with [Stan] and his talented team in creating some incredible new motion picture experiences,' president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production Oren Aviv said. 'Stan has so many fantastic new ideas for films, and we can't wait to get started.'

For his part Lee said the deal was 'like the realisation of a dream,' adding: 'Ever since I was a young boy, Disney represented the best and most exciting film fare to me. I look forward with indescribable enthusiasm to being a part of that world and contributing whatever I can to keep the legend alive and growing.'

Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, was instrumental in bringing the deal to Disney and will work closely with Lee. 'His track record is impressive by any measure, and home entertainment is sure to benefit from his creations,' Chapek said.

Lee's creations include The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Daredevil, and the Silver Surfer.

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